IN response to Emma J Deighan's letter in the Tuesday, April 8, edition of the Bolton Evening News.

I am also a 16-year-old citizen of Bolton. However, I do not agree with the war in Iraq. Like Miss Deighan, I also do not agree with the protests and walk-outs during school time, especially when there are protests organised on Saturdays and after school hours so as they do not interfere with the education of pupils who wish to take part.

Despite my opposition to the current war, now that the war has begun my opinions have not changed. However, I do respect our troops who are out there in the Gulf, but I feel they should not be there in the first place.

By September 12, Bush had made up his mind to attack Iraq as he'd found his excuse to go in for the oil. We all know that it's not because he actually cares about the Iraqi people, as the sanctions imposed by them have killed more Iraqi civilians over the 12 years than Saddam.

I strongly emphasise that I do not in any way condone Saddam's barbaric behaviour, however, my main point is, why did they not get rid of him 12 years ago when they were less than 200 miles from Baghdad? The only reason was that the US did not want Ayatollah Khomeini and his party to take over Iraq, who may have, if they had got rid of Saddam.

They knew that this group could not be bribed or bought-out like Saddam, therefore this party would not sell their oil to the very country which would impose life-taking sanctions on them.

Also, when America needed the help of Saddam against Iraq, Saddam's human rights record was acceptable, even though it was just as bad then. I guess what I'm attempting to delineate to you is the obvious double standards, and how the West help and get involved only when it suits them.

As for the WMDs, which were actually supplied by the US, if this is the reason for the war then why isn't the same pressure exerted on Israel, who similarly has not allowed weapons inspectors in? Or the US for that matter? It is simply obvious that there is one set of rules for our allies and one set for the rest of the world.

As for Terrorism, there is no proven link between Saddam and Al Qaida. Plus, the US can't really be intent on ridding the world of terrorism when many big businesses in America overtly support and fund the IRA. This obviously shows Bush's support for Blair and his internal affairs!

Miss Deighan, as for you not wanting people in the future to say why nobody rose up against Saddam sooner -- it is too late for that. That should have been taken care of 12 years ago. Just as with Hitler's Nazi regime, if things had been taken care of sooner, we would not have had to see this day. This war is not about the Iraqi people. It is about oil.

If these are the kind of morals world leaders nowadays hold, then all I have to ask is "who's going to be next?!"

Miss Lamia Zafrani

Daubhill