Sir, - President Clinton's "disappointment" at India's "terrible mistake" in carrying out underground nuclear tests is truly breathtaking in arrogance and double standards.
The US has conducted experiments with plutonium on prisoners and psychiatric patients, contaminated more flora, fauna, land water and human beings than any country on earth with its nuclear testing. In the Gulf war the US was the major user of depleted uranium weapons, which left a residue of radioactive dust throughout the country, which has been linked to the epidemic of childhood cancers and leukaemias and, experts believe, has contributed to Gulf war syndrome amongst allied personnel.
Only three months ago, the US was considering using them again against Iraq and also contemplating using the B62 "bunker busting" bomb, which was classified as a tactical nuclear weapon.
India and Pakistan might be entering the mad world of mutually assured destruction, but the country which started the madness in 1945 should put its own house in order before lecturing others. - Yours, etc., Felicity Arbuthnot,
Homerton High Street, London.