While we are living in this Government-sponsored climate of fear, perhaps it is time we asked some serious questions about our Western culture.

Since the London bombings, we have, as Americans did after 9/11, asked why these events have occurred.

Our "leaders" have repeated, almost word for word, the Bush gang's response: "They hate our freedoms," yawn, yawn, etc.

This is obviously untrue and propaganda in its lowest form.

And so, it is up to us, as individuals, and as a nation, to ask why, even if we do not like the answer.

We have, with the US, bullied and plundered the Middle East and the Third World for centuries.

This is not a recent occurrence. The only difference between yesterday's imperialism and today's is that we now have what is called International Law.

But this is a law we continually disobey and which is unenforcable if two of the leading world powers decide to ignore it for "financial" reasons - reasons that benefit only the corporate chiefs who pull the strings of both Blair and Bush.

The British definition of terrorism is: "The use or threat of action which is violent, damaging or disrupting and is intended to influence the Government or intimidate the public, and is for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause."

Our actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo etc (and there is a significant etc), show that Britain and America are guilty of state terrorism.

In fact, under International Law, both Blair and Bush should be charged with war crimes.

What makes the situation even worse is that we have ripped each country apart under the pretence of installing a new regime, "democracy" and liberation of the people (replace people with oil).

It is little wonder that a few individuals are full of hatred for this country and want to teach us a lesson - a lesson that will be taught to the public and not the Government, which is the guilty party. As usual we will suffer.

These are difficult questions to ask ourselves, and we must now answer them truthfully. We must change our views and foreign policy, if the world we supposedly cherish is to survive.

(This letter does not condone terrorism, state or otherwise.)

-Ben Nidal, Hove