In the war on terror any perceived reduction of the forces keeping law and order in, among others, Afghanistan and Iraq will strengthen the hand of the terrorists not only in those countries but also in their widespread cell network in the democracies.

In view of this, while Italy's commitment of 500 extra peacekeepers in Afghanistan to ensure that the national elections unfolded without any coercion from the Taliban was commendable, their recall right after the explosion which decimated a number of heroic Italian men under arms will seemingly tell the terrorists that democracies such as Italy are easily swayed in cutting back their forces if their armed forces are engaged and some killed.

I would have thought that given this incident, Italy and the other democracies would commit more men and women and pound, out of their hiding, the terrorists and murderers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and wherever, making good use of intelligence, technological superiority and resourceful military commanders.

G. Bonett

Marsalforn