IT APPEARS from your coverage of the DPA Cramber Tor campaign (February 14) that Lt Col T Clarke is concerned that the army would not be capable of patrolling the streets of Kabul if they didn't train on Dartmoor.

How Col Clarke can equate Kabul with Dartmoor I fail to see, as Kabul bears as much resemblance to Dartmoor as a camel does to a Dartmoor pony! I also think a more accurate term for the duty the army is engaged on in Kabul is policing.

I will not presume to comment on an alternative venue, other than perhaps Salisbury Plain, suffice to say that other suggestions would certainly not be appreciated.

I am far more concerned with the fact that the taxpayers of this country are now expected to finance, what is in affect, an armed police force to keep law and order in a foreign country, in which a considerable number of the population are opposed to their presence.

May I make it perfectly clear that I am in no way criticising the British Army, far from it. I think that they are among the best in the world — but not in the 'pig in the middle' situation they have been placed in and certainly not, as Col Clarke would have us believe, having to train on Dartmoor in order to efficiently police Kabul.

What a pity that the same level of concern and financial support is not available for the protection of property and the maintenance of law and order in the country that these same taxpayers live in. Perhaps the MoD would consider letting our troops train side by side on patrol with the Manchester of Metropolitan police. That would be much more to the point as regards the level of violence that they would encounter.

If we must run other countries' affairs for them then find an alternative to the Dartmoor National Park for any necessary training and please don't insult taxpayers any further by taking away the simple pleasure of walking on Dartmoor, as well as their money.

K R Walpole

34 Meadow Rise

Dawlish

I SEE an army officer states that military exercises on Dartmoor have been a fitting rehearsal for patrolling the hostile urban environment of Kabul, (Times February 21).

That's nonsense. Patrolling the streets of Belfast for over 30 years has prepared British troops for almost any hostility they might encounter at Kabul.

There are rifle ranges on Salisbury Plain and other places besides Dartmoor National Park.

T Macmanus

93E Priory Road

London NW6