The Editor, Sir:

The present dilemma which now exists in Iraq is very painful to many American families who have lost loved ones. The current position due to the appointment of Robert Gates and resignation of Donald Rumsfeld is a move in the right direction. I do hope Gates will bring new visionary approach to the party.

The voting for senate positions a few weeks ago has shown that the democrats are going to help to reorganise the sad state of the Pentagon. Mr. Bush has actually acknowledged that some of the approaches taken by Americans in Iraq were wrong.

Just like the American people, many Iraqi soldiers and civilians have died serving their country and equally like our neighbouring country the USA, they have felt the bitter end of the unending struggle in battle.

In recent weeks the insurgency which is protecting the hard-liners in Iraq is making a meal out of our neighbours. I do hope Gates will not be intimidated on matters concerning the unprecedented death toll in Iraq. He needs to act fast. A popular fact is that USA is the country with the most fatherless children on planet earth. This is primarily due to the number of wars the youngsters have to go to.

I do hope this will be a happy Christmas for all the young recruits in Iraq.

I am, etc.,

Paris Taylor

Greater Portmore

St Catherine

bighot43@yahoo.com