IT seems clear to me that some very important points are being overlooked by those who condemn the war against terrorism.

The first and most important is the purpose for the terrorist acts.

Our culture conditions us to believe that an act such as that committed on September 11 must be to draw attention to the terrorists.

Normally, the authorities react by opening lines of communication to resolve the problem.

This is not the case now. Of course, there are ulterior motives on both sides, and agendas that may only become apparent in many years time.

The Palestinian situation is certainly a factor, as are probably mineral rights in Asia as a whole.

However, the fundamentalists charged with carrying out these attacks, along with many other supporters of al Quaida, have two goals.

The people of the world must be converted to their doctrine, or they must be killed. These terrorists have no particular wish to enter into dialogue, and they certainly have no concept of compromise.

This is a new kind of war, so different in its aims that simply defining it is nearly impossible.

This problem will not go away if America withdraws its support for the Jewish community, and more people of all faiths will be killed in terrorist acts if no action is taken.

I understand the feelings of those against the bombing of Afghanistan, and sympathise deeply with those who have been bereaved.

But make no mistake - the bombing of the World Trade Centre was not planned to be a one-off, nor does the scale of devastation in New York satisfy the terrorists.

PAUL CLARKE,

Worcester.