In the minefields

Sir: We were appalled that allegations have been made or assumed of Mines Advisory Group involvement of any kind with accusations recently made that British or other government spies may be operating in Kurdish regions of Iraq (report, 8 January).

The Mines Advisory Group is an impartial, politically neutral, civilian, humanitarian organisation, registered as a charity. MAG is dedicated to stopping the loss of life and limb caused by landmines and unexploded ordnance. We do not operate in or close to known sensitive areas such as borders. Our sole focus is to return safe land to poor communities so as to reduce the suffering that landmines cause. This is the reason for our presence in northern Iraq and in many other regions of the world.

There is absolutely no basis for the allegations that have been made. The UN and of course the British government are both fully aware of this.

LOU McGRATH

Executive Director

Mines Advisory Group

Cockermouth, Cumbria