Blair wrong person to lecture world about the Middle East

TONY Blair’s comment that he was disappointed that the Commons vote was against action on Syria almost made me gasp in astonishment. Of all the politicians we have had to endure over the years I think he, above anyone else, is the one man that has made most sensible people think twice before committing themselves to support yet another conflict, especially one that is turning into a sectarian one.

Discounting the immoral fact that a ‘good war’ is always good for our economy with arms manufacturers rubbing their hands in glee, it was Tony Blair who embarked on rushing us into interfering in the Middle East’s problems in the first place with Afghanistan and Iraq.

Although the ongoing rhetoric continually tries to convince us into thinking we have in fact helped these countries, all we have done in reality is to muddy the waters of any evolving democracies while leaving us footing the huge bill of the necessary aftercare.

Rudyard Kipling’s lines:

‘The East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet’

are wise words which western governments should take on board, because to date they have proven that they have no real concept about the cultures and irrational beliefs that these nations have. Many are still engaged in religious and tribal feuds that date back generations almost to Biblical times.

Involving ourselves in Iraq and Afghanistan has created a deep-seated and bitter resentment against us as a nation, regardless of how much humanitarian help we have provided. To involve us in further conflict with Syria would no doubt only add to it.

Although the UK has always been at the forefront of the battle for civil rights and fairness, maybe we are getting just a little tired of sacrificing our Armed Forces in fruitless pursuits in the Middle East that in reality achieve virtually nothing as regards improving peace or stability.

From: David F Chambers, Sladeburn Drive, Northallerton.

NOW that Parliament has ruled out British participation in military action in Syria, the possibility is that the US will take steps to prevent further use of chemical weapons, and would in this case welcome the assistance of France.

After all, it was an American general who once remarked that “going into battle without the French is like setting out on a duck shoot without an accordion”. My own view is that Syria’s tragic situation can only be solved from within.

From: David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.

The overall situation in today’s Syria is, in many ways, very similar to that in Serbia in 1913.

There was a conflict going on, many miles from our shores, in a country most people knew very little about, or even where it was, and cared even less.

The “Big Powers“ were sabre rattling, and not getting on very well, and then, in 1914, the world found itself in a World War.

This could all happen again!