The Editor, Sir:

On Tuesday February 12, I was privileged to hear a specialist obstetrician defend on radio, the report by the Abortion Policy Review Advisory Group to which he was a signatory.

It is only fair for me to point out that I do not agree - not at all - with the doctor's position, but found the programme very interesting because, for the first time, I was hearing a medical professional speak publicly from that viewpoint. This particular obstetrician stands in contrast to a number of doctors who hold firmly (even adamantly) to a similar view in private, but refuse to express that view in public.

I heard this specialist say that practically all abortions have complications; and later in the programme he said that all women who have abortions have regrets (about having the abortion). While defending the woman's unrestricted right to choose to terminate a pregnancy, he did say that he himself does not do terminations (or abortions).

It is a pity that there was not enough time for the doctor to explain to the public why he is unwilling to carry out a medical procedure that he agrees with, that he is trained to do, and to which he thinks every woman should be entitled. I think it would be of great benefit to the public to hear in the near future, the reason/s.

I am, etc.,

Rev DONOVAN D. COLE

ddcole@colemusiq.org