EVEN by the standards he has set for himself in previous letters, the latest ranting by Peter Smith is high on the scale of hysteria.

He must be unique in believing that the desperate problems of the Arab world are caused by Western Conservative Involvement.

Saddam describes himself as a Socialist, as do most of the more unstable regimes including Libya and Syria, which openly sponsor terrorism. There are not many alternative candidates, Conservative or otherwise, when their leaders stand for re-election.

As usual, Mr Smith refers vaguely to well documented history, by which I assume he means the lunatic ramblings of his fellow propagandists.

He should get a hobby and leave politics to the grown-ups.

Most trouble in the Arab world has been deliberately fermented by Russia and China, which have poured arms into the region and still persist in breaking sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

KEITH RATCLIFFE

Priory Green

Highworth