I NOTE that Tim Chambers was saddened that the Unknown Soldier felt that people had no right to express themselves.

That is not what the soldier said, although I feel sure that those serving in Iraq will feel comforted, knowing Flowers of the Forest was being played on the bagpipes, during the protest. May I say it comforts us all knowing that? It gave us such relief. I don't think.

Irrespective of who armed and initially supplied Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, the fact of the matter is, that both are a threat to democracy. Both have shown their contempt for human rights and the lives of others.

Personally I hope that yes, the soldier is proud to be fighting for his country. Forget the dramatics as displayed by the writer, whose side are we on - the enemy or Britain's? I know where I stand.

Yet here we have someone, who admits he has never been there, pontificating about the USA - and I suspect Great Britain - using radiological weapons used by our troops.

May I inform him, that I and I suspect many others lose sleep every night just worrying about it? I suspect that he would have been the first, to have written with grand righteousness, and with an "I told you so" attitude, had our troops suffered severe loses due to chemical weapons, etc.

Another writer, Francis Hewlett, mentions the huge amount of people worldwide against the war. It is estimated that approximately 1.5 million people in this country were against the war. I calculate that this represents just less than 1.4 % of 60m. Hardly a resounding opposition to the war that these good folk would have us wish to believe.

Regarding France, Germany and Russia - we all know why they were against the war. They were making too much money. Indeed according to the press, France was selling missiles as late as February of 2003.

However, now that the war is over, realising that they are going to lose a lot of money, the French, Germans and Russia, suddenly feel the urge to help in the rebuilding of Iraq. I wonder why!

Of the letters directly and indirectly criticising the soldier, they do so only because he, his like, and their predecessors have put them in the position to be able to do so. They should show a little gratitude and less disdain, realising without the sacrifice of them and their predecessors, there would be no letters like this in the press.

Personally, I think that their letter writing and general attitude sucks. Most of them, if push came to shove, would opt out and be conscientious objectors, if they where called up, to fight for their country.

For God's sake, why can we not be both proud of our soldiers and of our country, as others are in theirs.

Barrie Elliott, Boscundle Avenue,

Falmouth