Madam, - The declaration by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan that the Invasion of Iraq was illegal has interesting implications.
If the Bush-and-Blair invasion was illegal then it follows logically that the occupation of Iraq resulting from this invasion is also illegal. So, clearly, is the puppet, occupier-installed regime which now styles itself the "interim government" of Iraq. Equally devoid of acceptability is any American-organised Iraqi "election", which would take place under the smoking barrel of the occupier's gun.
For real democracy to come to Iraq, the entire paraphernalia of the Bush-Blair-led invasion will first have to be removed.
Only then - under a credible and potent UN force from which the invaders are systematically excluded - can the people of Iraq hope to finally elect a government of their choice.- Yours, etc.,
CHARLES HAYES, Midleton, Co Cork.