How tedious it is to read the letters of your American correspondents who write to thank the Polish people for supporting the USA in its war in Iraq. With the publication of recent opinion poll results revealing that somewhere between 35% and 42% of Poles believe that the American-led Coalition's presence in Iraq can continue to be justified, this assumption of Polish solidarity can be seen for what it actually is - a gross generalisation.

Furthermore, the imminent withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq and the recent publication of letters from retired senior diplomats to Tony Blair and George Bush condemnimg their Middle Eastern policy as being counter-productive and doomed therefore to failure, are likely to result in Polish support for the occupation declining still furher.

It should not be forgotten that the invasion of Iraq, in contravention of all norms of international conduct, was justified by Washington and London in the most mendacious of terms; and each time a lie has been exposed (e.g. weapons of mass destruction, Iraqi links with Al-Qaeda) a new attempt to defend the indefensible has been forthcoming.

It would, at this point, be instructive for your pro-war correspondents to try to remember that before the invasion of Iraq they were told by the hawks in Washington that once a few pockets of resistance were removed the Iraqi people would be lining the streets to welcome their liberators. As this predatory occupation drags on and huge numbers of troops, equipped with vastly superior fire-power, are still unable to achieve their ends, it becomes increasingly absurd to suggest that the Coalition is being confronted by a few rebels and insurgents. America 's aggression and arrogance, its hegemonic ambitions in the Middle East and its scant regard for civilian life have alienated neutrals. It is time to ask who the real terrorists are.

Yours faithfully,
Andy Dixon
Leszno
Poland