Abuse of Iraqi prisoners

Madam, - During the Nuremberg Trials after the second World War the (rejected) defence of those on trial for crimes against humanity…

Madam, - During the Nuremberg Trials after the second World War the (rejected) defence of those on trial for crimes against humanity was that they were "only following orders".

After the recent revelations about alleged war crimes in Iraq the defence of US government officers, including the Secretary of Defence and President Bush, appears to be that they were "only giving orders".

Can someone please explain where the buck stops? - Yours, etc.,

PHILIP HASSELL, The Cedars, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.