SIR - France and Germany insist that in opposing a war on Saddam Hussein they are motivated exclusively by a love of peace. However, their proposed solution, an indefinite continuation of the UN inspection process, can only work as long as America and Britain maintain an invasion force of 100,000 troops near Iraq. Nobody can doubt that once this force is withdrawn Saddam will simply kick out the inspectors, as he has done before. To prevent this, France and Germany should offer to cover the full cost of maintaining the troops for as long as it proves necessary. This would show that they are not simply motivated by anti-Americanism, cowardice and the self-interest of their politicians.

ANDRZEJ KOZLOWSKI Yokohama, Japan

From The Economist 22 Feb 2003

SIR - If France and Germany are so keen on a two-speed Europe, then why not a two speed NATO ?  We will have 16 nations that are totally committed to mutual defence and some that we might help out if we feel like it.

MARTIN TURNER, Hong Kong

From The Economist 22 Feb 2003