My initial response to the letter entitled, 'Peace only through tolerance' (Oct 17), was that the writer seemed to have bought into the constant propaganda that we in Malaysia are constantly bombarded with by the Western press. In so doing, the writer seems to have missed several crucial points in his diatribe against Islamic extremists.

Instead of imploring others not to be upset with the United States, let's address why people are upset.

The writer refers to the Taliban as those "who harbour these terrorists". Since when has any proof been released to support this assertion? What proof has been released to support the idea that Osama bin Laden was even behind the Sept 11 event? The US government has been far too secretive of the supposed proof that support their allegations. At most they have admitted that it would not stand up in a court of law. It was certainly wrong for Osama to praise the attacks but how does this lead one to the conclusion that this serves as "implicit evidence that he was the mastermind behind those attacks"? Are people not supposed to be innocent until proven guilty?

It was only days ago that the Taliban offered, for a second time, to negotiate with the US. This was refused by President Bush and the US continued to pound Afghanistan with is military might. Such displays of arrogance only allow for more innocents to be maimed and killed.

On what basis has the US assaulted an entire nation? Who gave them permission to do so? Why are other nations chided and told to follow the rules while the US can continually flout them and get off scot free?

With this in mind, I think people have every right to be upset with the US government.

Don't get me wrong. I am appalled at bin Laden's methods and the Taliban's policies against their own people. Equally horrendous are calls for holy wars or violence of any kind.

However, this does not diminish the urgent need to distinguish the truth from the propaganda.