14 SEPTEMBER 1996, Page 28

Means to an end

Sir: Does Ronald Mutebi really think that the measures used to combat insurgency in Malaya . .. in the 1950s still rank among the worst human rights horrors in modern history' (Books, 31 August)? The Malayan Emergency (as it was called) was fought to put an end to unspeakable communist atrocities which killed thousands of inno- cent Asians and Europeans alike, and could not have been brought to its successful con- clusion (Malayan independence) in any other way. Perhaps Mr Mutebi would have preferred a Malayan manifestation of Pol Pot to have come to power in Kuala Lumpur? Only Britain's commitment to a developing Malaya prevented such a disas- trous outcome.

David Harrison

52 Green Ridges, Headington, Oxford