Your letters

TONY Blair calls for a grown-up debate regarding the Euro army in which British soldiers will be led by a German general. He pontificates that without such happening, it would be detrimental to national interests.

The only thing Mr Blair is interested in is himself becoming president of Europe, clearly at any cost to his fellow countrymen.

Even if his intentions were genuine, what might happen, say in 20 or 30 years time, should European political interests become even more self-serving than now? This kind of treachery by Mr Blair will be recognised immediately by the British public.

Indeed, he hasn't really lost touch at all, but rather he was never in touch with real British people to start with. His actions constitute little more than a sell-out of every man, woman and child in Great Britain. - Andrew Fowler, Ferryhill.

WHEN is an army not an army? Answer: when Tony Blair says so.

I would have thought that 60,000 armed troops, plus air and naval power under a unified command is an army.

Not so, says Mr Blair. We are being hysterical and dishonest.

The curious thing is that while he is in denial, Romano Prodi, EC Commission President, says categorically that it is an army, so also does Alain Richard, the French defence minister, who even goes further and says he wants the EU to have the right to increase the strength of this force at will.

Meanwhile, Messrs Blair, Cook and Hoon, backed up as usual by their faithful poodles, the Liberal Democrats, argue that the press should be gagged if it dares to criticise his judgement.

The Northern Echo seemingly concurs with the PM, according to the editorial (Echo, Nov 23).

The sooner this dangerous Government is terminated the better and travesties such as the Rapid Reaction Force can be rescinded. - David Pascoe, Hartlepool.

IF, as stated by Tony Blair, committing our troops to an EU force is not yet another step towards a federal Europe, then why are the following small selection of eminent people opposed to the proposition?

Sir Peter de la Billiere, Commander British Forces in the Gulf; Lord Healey, former Labour Defence Secretary; Lord Owen, former Labour Foreign Secretary; Major General Peter Martin, former Colonel Cheshire Regiment; and Major General Lord Carver, former Chief of Defence Staff.

Is the whole position being manipulated by the French, who refuse to be part of the operational and military arm of Nato and who are anti-American?

Is this another demonstration of the work of arguably the worst Foreign Secretary ever; Robin Cook's idea of patriotism and looking after our interests by giving away yet more control?

Why has the proposal not been debated in Parliament? Is this yet another example of President Blair's total contempt for the democracy of our country and its parliamentary procedures? - C Ward, Spennymoor.

AGE DISCRIMINATION

I WAS surprised to read the article (Echo, Nov 16) about older women showing no interest in joining the police force.

As a woman just turned 40 with an exemplary armed forces record, a recent employment history of eight years within a security environment and who keeps herself fit, I applied to join Durham Constabulary when it relaxed its sight requirements (I wear spectacles/contact lenses).

Can you imagine my disappointment and disillusionment to discover that to the Durham force, older women means late twenties and thirties. No wonder I received that polite but firm rejection letter.

My application wasn't given a chance. It didn't help my morale to hear, just the day before your article, that the Metropolitan force is so desperate for recruits that it is considering people with minor criminal convictions.

Who says there's no discrimination against age? What a strange country we live in. - D Carter, Darlington.

ENEMIES

E TURNBULL (HAS, Nov 16) insists America is our insidious enemy.

I remember after the Second World War, America was the only country to help us rebuild our shattered cities and bankrupt economy. It was called Marshall Aid.

In what way are early warning systems dangerous? Maybe Mr Turnbull sees nothing wrong in being given no warning of an impending nuclear air strike. It is dangerous arrogance to impose such a thing on others.

Come on, Mr Turnbull, explain to us exactly why early warning systems are dangerous. - Thomas Bell, Newton Aycliffe.

DARLINGTON FC

FIRST we had Laurel and Hardy, then Abbott and Costello, followed by Morecambe and Wise and now we have Darlington's own Gary and George.

These two could make a fortune going round the pubs with their pearls of wisdom and fortune telling act.

What time zone are they operating in? The days of non-league clubs sitting with their begging bowls has long gone. If you want a good player you'll have to pay for him. - M Pattison, Darlington.

FAIR PLAY

STOCKTON News, delivered to our homes, has proudly announced £10m Single Regeneration Budget money for Stockton.

There's a new £1.3m footbridge, a £5m swimming pool, a £43m Wellington Square shopping development and more. Wow! Great for Stockton.

Now we turn to page 13 to read about "a brighter future for Billingham".

When the regeneration plans are finalised, I wonder how many millions will be spent. Indications are that there will be a cut in the size of the pool, we can't afford a full-sized one now that we have one in Stockton. The same applies to the ice rink; recreational size will be sufficient. As for the theatre, drop that all together. Wow! Great for Billingham! I don't think.

Play fair Stockton, Billingham expects no less. - EA Moralee, Billingham.