IN his sixth annual State of the Union address (January 23), President Bush told Congress: "Failure in Iraq would have 'grievous' consequences.'' He goes on "Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq, and I ask you to give it a chance to work.'' He described the war on terror as a "generational struggle that will continue long after you and I have turned our duties over to others."' Mr Bush added: "On this day, at this hour, it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory.'' Recent opinion polls suggest only one-in-three voters approve of the job the president is doing -making him more unpopular than any other president in the last 50 years, except Richard Nixon just before he resigned. The BBC Online News (24/01/2007) If a similar poll were taken in Britain, how would Mr Blair fair? Not only has the Bush-Blair alliance landed America and Britain with huge financial burdens (just as Britain has paid off the cost of the Second World War) but, and more importantly, huge loss of life - allied troops and Iraqi civilians.

Now Bin Laden has warned that even if the US sent in thousands more troops, they don't have a chance of winning, just as the American didn't win in Vietnam. This is an unjust war, and we should pull out - now.

WILLIAM STEWART, Bishopstoke.