The anonymous reader who wrote in about the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament's activism against wars (News Shopper, November 28) may not realise the CND's motives. I am not a member, but I feel it important to clarify its actions.

The CND is not preaching "hypocritical nonsense", it is simply raising awareness of the thousands of people killed every day in wars fought all over the world. This is especially important to remember as we follow the war in Afghanistan.

Rather than supporting the horrific attacks on New York, the anti-war movement is simply stating bombing Afghanistan is adding to the already massive death toll.

The murder of innocent people in the World Trade Center is no different to the murder of innocent people in Afghanistan, or indeed Iraq or anywhere else the US and its allies including Britain, have led bombing campaigns.

There is nothing wrong with campaigning for world peace, and while it is true the anti-war movement is against the policies of the US Government, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the thousands of ordinary people who lost their lives tragically on September 11. It is certainly not "anti-American". However, the war on Afghanistan will do nothing but further fan the fire of rebellion against US and British policies, already flaming due to issues such as third world debt, weapons sales to dictatorships and support for oppressive regimes in places like Turkey and Israel.

Let us remember the dead from all wars and strive to build a future where it will be war itself, not simply its victims, who are just a memory.

Patrick Ward

Coney Hall

West Wickham

December 5, 2001 10:59