Sir: Oil once again appears as a catalyst for conflict, the Sunni population of Iraq fearing a federal state could leave the country's oil resources in the hands of the Kurds in northern Iraq and the Shia in the South ('Sunnis warn of backlash to federal constitution', 23 August)

Is any government considering alternative energy sources not just for environmental reasons but as a means of promoting world peace? Iraq is potentially rich in solar energy, which knows no political boundaries. Of course, while this could help secure energy for all sections of Iraq, so long as Western economies are oil-based, the export value of oil will continue to divide the country. How about the USA seeking to satisfy its energy needs by tapping the solar resources of the sunny south, its deserts, the wave power of its huge coastline, and wind. This would release the US from that part of its foreign policy which is ruled by the concern to secure oil supplies.

They and the world might be safer for it.

Co-operation in developing alternative energy strategies world- wide, for example sharing technical expertise with developing countries, would lead to greater self-sufficiency for all countries, and greater political and economic independence. It would be an energy strategy promoting peace rather than war.