Madam, - US and British politicians and elements of the media have been professing shock at the reports and photographs of torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners in US/UK detention centres in Iraq.
It is claimed by both politicians and military commanders that this is not what the invasion and occupation were about, that these events are not a true reflection of "Western" attitudes to the Arab and Muslim world.
The opposite is the case. When the sugared words of Bush and his cronies about civilised values and democracy are enforced by an underclass which, through poverty, poor education and Christian fundamentalist indoctrination, constitute the lower orders of the US Army, the results are entirely predictable. When Arabs and Muslims generally are daily depicted and spoken of as backward, uncivilised and habitual terrorists, can anyone be surprised at the activities of the US and UK armed forces?
However, let us in Ireland not stand holding our nose in righteous disdain. At least some of the men and women doing the torturing and killing almost certainly passed through Shannon Airport, as perhaps did some of the rifle butts being driven into faces and crotches. When we weaselled and wriggled over providing facilities for an illegal war we could have been certain that it wasn't going to be a bloodless one. So the next time we look at the laced-up boots being driven into trussed-up bodies, remember they carry a little dirt from the auld sod. - Yours, etc.,
HUGH MANNION, Stanhope Street, Dublin 7.
Madam, The Bush and Blair governments might consider demonstrating their democratic pedigrees more forcefully to the rest of world in response to the revelations of POW mistreatment. They could start by rewarding the whistleblowers within their armies, congratulating the media for bringing these disgraceful acts to our attention, punishing those who mistreated their captives and those who knew what was happening, but failed to take action.
Perhaps then, the rest of the world might begin to believe that the purveyors of Western democratic ideals lead by example rather than by cynical PR damage-limitation exercises. - Yours, etc.,
KEN HALPIN, McCabe Villas, Booterstown, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The abuse currently being revealed in Iraq occurred in an accessible country with a substantial media presence. What is happening in Guantanamo Bay? - Yours etc.,
A.J.ROUS, St Aubyn's Court, Killiney, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Those Arabic individuals quoted in your edition of May 6th who now feel that democracy is proven to be false, have in fact seen a demonstration of the great worth of democratic statehood.
Where else but in a democracy would such actions be discovered, published and punished, not to mention apologised for (after a fashion), in such an open manner? The difference between the old Iraq and the new, in this regard, is that invasion is no longer required to end such abuses. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL KEARY, Monaleen Heights, Castletroy, Limerick.
Madam, George W. is upset at Rumsfeld because he first discovered about the war crimes by reading the newspapers. I would like to know: who let him see those newspapers? - Yours, etc.,
TONY McDERMOTT, Westfield Road, Dublin 6W.
Madam, - Anyone who is surprised that an occupying army abuses its prisoners is naïve.
I imagine that the American administration is more concerned that the pictures have been published than that the abuse has taken place. - Yours, etc.,
GODFREY SHAW, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7.