Madam, - Isn't it rich for the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, to berate the President Putin of Russia for the restriction of democratic freedoms following the Beslan tragedy (The Irish Times, September 15th)? The Bush Administration, of which Powell is Secretary of State, used the 9/11 tragedy to restrict US democratic freedoms with the passing of the Patriot Act.
Both administrations are hell-bent on the military pursuit of their own interests at whatever cost to regional and world peace. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN BUTLER, Pennock Hill, Swords, Co Dublin.
A chara, - I think it is unfair of Gerry Molloy (September 14th) to accuse me of supporting the "neo cons". Islamic fundamentalist terrorist organisations, whose sole motive is the destruction of the west, warrant military defeat.
Mr Molloy equates the distorted fundamentalist view of Islam presented by al-Qaeda with Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation, and with Arab unease about America's support for Israel.
The Palestinians have elected representatives to reason with, and clear, rational political goals. Al-Qaeda and Islamic fundamentalist terrorists have an irrational and irreconcilable need to defeat Western society. Al-Qaeda is loath to negotiate with anyone. - Is mise,
ERIC CREAN, Shandon Gardens, Phibsborough, Dublin 7.
Madam, - A lot of nonsense is spoken and written about "Islamic terrorism" as something that is pure malice and that simply should not exist. But the simple fact is that as long as Israelis, Westerners and Russians continue to kill Muslim men, women and children (almost daily in Palestine, Iraq, frequently in Afghanistan and Chechnya), Muslims will try to kill as many Israelis, Westerners and Russians as they can.
It stands to reason. It is human nature. - Yours, etc.,
DESMOND FENNELL, Anguillara, Rome.