Sir, – Fintan O’Toole argues that it is incorrect for US president Joe Biden to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine (“Ireland is uncomfortable with any criticism of US actions, even when they are wrong”, Opinion & Analysis, News Review, July 15th). He rightly highlights the long-term danger to civilians and points out that “the US never lived up to its duty to clean up these deadly hazards in Laos”.
The US is likely to have shown more resolve if these had been placed in its own country, as is the case with Ukraine, which says it will maintain a record of usage to facilitate future clearance in already heavily Russian-mined territory. Unlike Russia, which as your columnist points out, deliberately targeted a crowded railway station in Kramatorsk last year with cluster munitions that killed at least 58 people (including an estimated nine children), Ukraine says the US cluster munitions will be directed against military targets as part of its counter-offensive. Russia outguns Ukraine in terms of personnel, airpower, ground vehicles and ammunition. It illegally invaded a sovereign, democratic European neighbour during which, according to many independent international bodies, it has committed war crimes including rape, torture, illegal separation of children from parents and deliberate targeting of civilians and utilities.
The always readable Fintan O’Toole is right to raise concerns. However, if ruthless intruders armed with Kalashnikovs broke into his family home, he seems to think that the correct moral response is to reach for a bread knife. – Yours, etc,
RONNIE SIMPSON,
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Bray,
Co Wicklow.