In reply to Phil McAveety (Letters, December 27), I have to ask: "Why is Britain in Afghanistan?" We were drawn in to keep "friends" with President Bush who decided that he wanted to invade Afghanistan. There is still no reliable link between the attack on the New York World Trade Centre and Afghanistan. Bush stated that Abu Zubaydah was critical in identifying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed as the mastermind behind 9/11. However, CIA agent John Kiriakou stated that Zubaydah was "tortured", illegal under US law and the Geneva convention, to give this information and none of his other information given under torture was reliable. The Washington Post has revealed that the torture lasted for months. It was also videotaped - with the incriminating tape destroyed before it could be viewed by the 9/11 commission. When America wanted Britain to enter the Vietnam War Harold Wilson said "No". The result was that Britain had to devalue the pound - a slap on the wrist for not falling into line with American policy.

Now that we are in Afghanistan, what reasons are there for us to remain? A share of the profits from the gas pipeline that is coming down through the country to a port in Pakistan? If the Americans don't take it all for themselves. To curtail the opium production? The year prior to the invasion the Taliban had stopped the growing of opium. Since then it has reached industrial proportions never known of previously. The Taliban does not grow the poppies itself, it provides protection to the drug barons.

An interesting article in The Herald (March 12, 2007) reported that, "Izzatullah Wasifi, a childhood friend of Afghan President Hamid Karzai" and "the new head of Afghanistan's anti-corruption department served almost four years in jail after being caught in a sting operation trying to sell £1m-worth of heroin". In March of this year the Foreign Office admitted that moves to curb cultivation of the opium poppies by legalising and controlling the raw narcotic product had been vetoed by President Karzai. Now it is reported (December 27) that President Hamid Karzai has expelled "two of the west's most experienced diplomats" for attempting to hold peace talks with the Taliban.

Apart from the carnage inflicted on our armed forces through physical injury and shell-shock, there is the saga of eight grounded Chinook helicopters, and an "unsuitable" Army radio system. The helicopters that were unsuitable for battle conditions are to be rebuilt, after delivery five years ago. When rebuilt they will have cost £30m each - "The basic Chinook at 1999 prices was a little over £10m. Fitting engines from MoD stock added £1.1m" (December 24, 2007). The other item that highlights the procurement of equipment is that the "MoD spent £2.4bn on unsuitable' Army radio system" (March 9, 2007). "Soldiers who have used it in the field say it is too complicated and fragile for the front line and claim the letters of its name should stand for "Better Off With Map And Nokia". Yes, there have been valuable lessons learned from being in Afghanistan, but what a cost.

Niall Barker, 5 Grosvenor Crescent, Glasgow.

In writing about two diplomats expelled from Kabul (December 27), your defence correspondent identifies them as "Mervyn Patterson, a UK citizen from Northern Ireland and the third-ranking UN official in the country, and Michael Semple, from the Irish Republic who heads the EU mission in Kabul." Even if these are the two men's true identities, your readers should be made aware of reliable reports elsewhere that agents of Sir John Scarlett's Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6, are negotiating with the Taliban.

Why is the UK Government making such strenuous efforts to reverse the Afghan government's order to expel two diplomats who are Irish passport holders? What do our American allies think of the Brown government's "talking to terrorists", especially following the Prime Minister's commitment not to do so given in the Commons two weeks ago? It is not only the Tories who think the Prime Minister has some explaining to do.

Thomas McLaughlin, 4 Munro Road, Jordanhill, Glasgow.

How prescient of the estimable Harry Reid and Phil McAveety to question our adventures in unknown mindscapes. Whose democracy is this?

I refrain from quoting or paraphrasing Kipling who saw, and learned the lessons. I'll send no sons of ours to the Kush.

For all gods' sakes, let us be kind and safe.

Colum K Buchanan, 9 Greenlaw Avenue, Paisley.