MORE than 80 people opposed to a war with Iraq put questions to West Devon MP John Burnett at an open meeting in Tavistock last Saturday.

The event, in the Methodist Church Hall, was organised by Tavistock Peace Action Group, which believes a military strike against Saddam Hussein would be counter-productive.

Liberal Democrat Mr Burnett laid out his party?s stance on the issue, and told the campaigners their voice would not go unheard in Parliament.

He said: ?I believe Saddam Hussein is a cruel tyrant who in past years has used dreadful weapons of terror against his own people.

?However, I have a series of criteria I believe should be fulfilled before military action is taken.

?Firstly, there must be clear and unequivocal evidence of weapons of mass destruction and the potential to use them, based on the work of the weapons inspectors.

?There must be clear evidence that Iraq has the capability to launch these weapons and it must be proved they are likely to do so.

?Then there should be a new or further resolution from the United Nations, and a vote in Parliament. Finally, I would like to see guarantees that any action is designed to avoid civilian casualties as far as possible.?

Mr Burnett was asked to explain his recent comments in the Times when he said his party would fully support British troops in the event of war, despite being opposed to military action without a further UN resolution.

He said: ?If the government commits to war and our troops are ordered into war I shall do or say nothing to undermine them.

?I shall stick to my principles, but within the frame of never undermining our troops.

?For example, a government could introduce a tax that I profoundly disagreed with, but when the Inland Revenue came around to collect it, I wouldn?t attack them, I would pay.?

He said the opinions of anti-war campaigners were an important part of the debate. ?Don?t be too pessimistic about your voice not being heard. The government is not nearly as strong on this issue as people in this room might think.

?There?s a growing number of politicians, from all parties, who believe in the views I?ve set out today.?

However, he said a war against Iraq looked increasingly likely, as thousands of British and American troops were deployed in the Middle East.

?I do not believe a war with Iraq is inevitable, but I think it is very, very likely to happen,? he said.

Tavistock Peace Action Group is still taking bookings for seats on coaches to join the national anti-war demonstration in London on Saturday, February 15.

The group?s next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday, February 19, at Friends Meeting House, Bedford Car Park and anyone is welcome to attend.

For further information, phone Martin on 01822 617540 or Margaret on 01822 617680.

l A peace campaigner from Tavistock has been fined by Watford magistrates after his part in a large demonstration in London.

Peter Nelson, 20, pleaded guilty with three other protesters to obstructing the highway during an anti-war demonstration at the Permanent Joint Headquarters of the British Armed Forces in Northwood on January 19.

Mr Nelson, a student at Nottingham University, was fined £25 and ordered to pay £10 costs.