Alastair Llewellyn-Smith, Peter Cuming and Margaret Callinan (Letters, 1 November) make an interesting case for unconditional recognition of a Palestinian state, but their arguments are flawed. Mr Llewellyn-Smith argues that peace is most likely if the negotiations have no preconditions; but one precondition, the unequivocal recognition of Israel and its right to exist, is absolutely essential if there is to be peace. Mr Cuming argues that failure to recognise Palestine will result in a Palestinian conquest and overrunning of Israel; but this is much more likely to happen if recognition is granted with no safeguards for Israel. Ms Callinan mentions many sufferings inflicted on the Palestinians; but she distorts the facts by treating all these as gratuitous acts of injustice, whereas many