Former Progressive Labour Party Candidate Cal Wales is offering his services to President Bush if the US goes to war against Iraq.

On Saturday around 1,000 demonstrators took to the Island's streets in a peace march.

But Mr. Wales, from St. David's, said Bermuda was in danger of biting the hand that feeds it by not backing its neighbour.

He said: "I understand people who don't want war, but they have no knowledge of what's going on in Iraq.

"I watched that march on Saturday and it was obvious a number of those people weren't even Bermudians.

"At this time we need to be careful about demonstrating against the hand that feeds us. We don't produce anything. The bulk of our money comes from the US."

Mr. Wales, who stood four times for the PLP but stressed he was speaking in a personal capacity, has written to US Consul General Denis Coleman and Governor Sir John Vereker offering his help to President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"I have never been in the army but I am sure I could take somebody some food or drive a truck," said Mr. Wales.

The letter said: "I Cal Wales would like to volunteer my services to the both of you in any capacity that I can.

"I truly agree with the fact that Saddam Hussein must be dealt with concerning the weapons of mass destruction and the fact that he like many, many other people around the world who think they can do anything, even kill their own people to stay in power and who think that they are the smartest people on earth and that nobody else knows what they are doing.

"I say once again to President Bush and Prime Minister Blair, you have my sincere support in this action.

"The whole world would definitely be a better, safer place without people like Saddam Hussein around."

US Consul Jennifer Schools said: "It is interesting he wants to make this gesture and I am sure Mr. Coleman will answer his letter when he gets back."

Asked if the war might escalate with other Arab states backing Iraq, Mr. Wales said: "Many other countries don't want to go along with President Bush and Prime Minister Blair.

"But if Saddam Hussein or any other country or nation were to do some sort of harm to any of them, the first people they would call on or expect to help them would be President Bush or Prime Minister Blair.

"It's too bad we didn't finish after we started in 1991."

Asked why America was set to attack Iraq when there were many other evil regimes in the world, Mr. Wales said: "We have to start. Somebody has to stand up for democracy."

He said he listened to BBC radio reports where people said they had lost 20 members of their family to purges by the Iraqi dictator.

"Something has to be done."