The production of this edition of 'Egremont Today' has been overtaken by the unspeakable horror of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. In comparison with this event, everything else seems trivial.

Jack Cunningham has sent his personal comments. For its depth of consideration and balance his statement deserves wide circulation.

There is no doubt that the sense of betrayal on the part of many people who are poverty stricken throughout the world provides fertile ground for the recruitment of fanatics who care nothing for human life, including their own. While no-one could ever condone these unprecedented, senseless acts of violence, we should remember that we all have a duty to work for a fairer, more peaceful world. "

We strongly agree that there can be no peace without justice, and hope that a focused hunt for the conspirators who perpetrated this atrocity is not taken as an excuse for an attack on civilians in another country, who are no less innocent than those at work at the World Trade Centre. It may release irrepressible feelings to declare the attack as an act of war, but it is meaningless unless they are absolutely clear about the identity of the enemy. It is impossible to bomb into submission the outrage of people sense that their families are seen as a lower form of life than citizens of the United States, Britain or Israel.

We would welcome from world leaders a mature recognition that the power and wealth of affluent nations is, in fact, their weakness. We are all so much more vulnerable because we have so much more to lose.