ON Sunday, November 11, we will again be remembering those who suffered and forfeited their lives in two world wars and the dislocation this caused to families.

When this ceremony was first held, people said there should be no more carnage on the scale of the First World War and that we should learn from the past.

Have we? And have our standards of conduct as a civilised race kept pace with increased technological capability?

Grave rhetoric and belligerence alone will not do. In 2001 I'm not clear what is the nature of the "special relationship" with the US.

Might it be similar to the special relationship between Arab nations or those whose religion is Muslim?

I'm not too clear, either, what Tony Blair means when he talks of defending freedom. The Chilean Government of General Allende was democratically elected but unfortunately of the wrong political colour for its neighbours.

WENDY HANDS,

Upton-upon-Severn.