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Dear Today I have just listened to James Naughtie's interview with Tony Benn (about Mr Benn's interview with Saddam Hussein). (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/ today ) Tony Benn was right to take Naughtie to task for focusing his questions on things he (Benn) *didn't* ask Saddam (like his crimes/human rights record) instead of what they did discuss. If you want a bully to *actually change his ways* (rather than just be contained and punished) you focus on mediation, options for fresh starts and a way out without loss of face, not on past crimes. Mr Benn's approach does need to be heard in full and not judged by the wrong criteria. We keep hearing of the 4 options for a solution to the crisis (Saddam is assassinated, Saddam goes into exile, Saddam disarms, war), but the media has a duty to give full voice to other serious suggestions put forward by lay people - especially now all we hear from politicians are lies, half-truths and distortions. Perhaps Tony Benn can help bring about a 'Saddam disarms and changes' option. Unrealistic? No more than Bush/Blair's rosy picture of post-war Iraq. In any case, let's not be so sophisticatedly cynical that we condemn as unworkable any different, peaceful options before we take time to understand them. Cathy Aitchison Mitcham, Surrey 020 8685 9928 -- Cathy Aitchison _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk