Dear Sir,

The League of Nations was formed in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles after the First World War — the war to end all wars.

As we know, it was a very ineffective organisation and did not prevent Hitler from overrunning other countries, thereby precipitating the Second World War. So, at the end of that war, another organisation, the United Nations, was formed with the notion it would prevent further wars.

Its record since 1945 has been abysmal and I have not been able to figure out how many wars have occurred in the past 78 years. The most recent in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel is a case in point. Where are the United Nations peacekeeping forces? I have not seen any on the ground and, in the meantime, civilians are being killed both in Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The United Nations did not intervene when Russia was in Afghanistan in the 1970s and 19 80s, nor did it prevent further action at a later date.

Life is very short at the best of times, even if we live to 100 years. We cannot agree with our fellow man all the time, but we can agree to disagree. The confrontational approach never works, and the general population are who suffer.

I remember being in Argentina at the time of the Falklands crisis. The Argentinians I met were most hospitable. Their comments were, “We do not want war with the British people. There is an election coming up in Argentina and also an election in Britain, so the sabre-rattling was caused by politicians wanting to firm up their base.” We were able to travel around Argentina without fear.

Even in Bermuda, let us have our differences, but we need to do this without resorting to violence. Maybe I am being too simplistic in my approach. Should I remove my rose-coloured glasses?

The time has come for the United Nations to be dismantled instead of all the countries’ representatives living the high life in New York at the expense of the taxpayer — again the average Joe from every country.

ANTONY SIESE

Paget