The terrorist attack on New York was a heinous crime but let us not lose sight of what went on before, which must have some bearing on the reasons for the attack.

During the Gulf War, a US naval captain shot down in error an Iranian airliner, killing all the civilians on board. Instead of punishing the captain, the US later promoted him. Since the end of the Second World War, the USA has bombed or carried out aggressive military actions against Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Afghanistan, Panama, Grenada, Libya, Iraq, Iran and Sierra Leone, to name but a few.

The CIA has taken part in covert operations in many countries, including Chile, Cuba and Nicaragua. The US has armed terrorists, including Osama bin Laden at one time, and Americans have openly given financial support to the IRA. On top of everything else, the US arms and supports Israel.

With so many potential enemies, no wonder the US finds it so difficult to prove who carried out the recent terrorist attacks on its own soil. With so many Americans living in poverty, the US should ditch its aggressive foreign policies and concentrate on helping its own citizens.

-Leonard Francis, Town Cross Avenue, Bognor