LAST week's historic, if flawed, election in Iraq was a step forward, but only a tiny first step. It's no surprise that it hasn't put a stop to the violence.

The resistance is being driven by the plunder of Iraq's economic resources and continued attempts to prise open Iraqi markets to international trade and foreign investors.

One of the laws insisted on by the US, for example, is "Order 81" which prohibits Iraqi farmers from re-using saved wheat seeds and obliging them to abandon traditional agricultural methods in the face of international intellectual property laws granting wheat patents to US-owned agribusiness firms.

Forcing the oldest agricultural economy in the world to abandon its traditional practices is one example of the allies real intent in Iraq: opening its economy up to the forces of economic globalisation and establishing the framework for a profitable future for US firms doing business in Iraq.

Unsurprising perhaps, as this has been the agenda of occupation forces throughout history. The experience of India and Africa teach us that "insurgent" violence continues, at terrible human costs, until the occupation ends economically, politically and militarily.

Another approach is possible - where people come before profit; sadly this Labour government seem unwilling to consider it.

Martin Whiteside Stroud District Councillor and Green Party Parliamentary Candidate Claypits Lane Lypiatt Stroud