THE recent bombings in London are horrific and are rightfully condemned by all sections of society.

The subsequent discovery that the perpetrators were British-born Muslims has caused even more upset both within the Muslim and the indigenous communities.

But suspicion will drive a wedge in our society. So, does our foreign policy bear any responsibility?

Following America's lead, and ignoring United Nations policy, we attacked Muslim society, Afghanistan, then a secular Muslim society, Iraq. Has that made us safer?

We have been here before. Following the failure of what became known as the Gunpowder Plot, the Catholic community in England was placed under what we in today's terms call an embargo.

Restrictions were placed on their movements, there were arrests, non legal searches of property, detentions.

Catholics were not allowed to serve in government or in the army.

Restrictions were put in place regarding education and on religious observance.

The situation lasted for the next 400 years, and in a watered down form, still exists in Northern Ireland.

Political spokespersons, attempting to justify government actions, say that militant Islam declared war on the west by their actions in bombing Twin Towers, and an attack on an American warship.

At that time, world sympathy was with the Americans.

But the longer the slaughter goes on, any sympathy will dribble away and more hothead militants will be created.

Does anyone remember an airliner being shot down on its way to Mecca, killing over 200 passengers?

An American warship, with the most modern electronic methods of detection, wrongly identified it as an attacker. No apology, no compensation.

As we now know, the reasons for going to war in Iraq were 'weapons of mass destruction,' no sorry, 'Saddam was a cruel dictator who repressed his people.'

But when he was standing up to the evil mullahs of Iran he was good. He must have been. We supported him with arms and money.

I think that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

I ask every reader to examine his or her conscience.

Do you agree with our government policy in the Middle East?

We are now in a situation where we have to introduce stringent security measures.

I predict that these will lead to more militant reactions.

People will die as a result. My letter is intended to provoke thought and debate.

D D'ARCY, Haslingden Old Road, Knuzden.