Sir, - I am disappointed to read that Boyzone intend to stage three performances in Indonesia during their forthcoming tour of South-East Asia, despite representations from the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign. What really appalls me, however, is the attitude of Boyzone's manager Mr Louis Walsh, whom you report as responding to your reporter Mr Paul Cullen: "Are you one of those boring activists as well? Because if you are I'm not talking to you".
Clearly Mr Walsh has much to learn, not only about the despotic Indonesian regime, but also about public relations. He cannot do himself or his charges any good by his apparent contempt for activists.
Perhaps Mr Walsh is too young to remember what happened when the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement led a campaign to stop Irish performers going to South Africa during the apartheid days. Some of them are still licking their wounds. I would say to him, never to be disparaging of committed activists when they fight for a just cause.
As an activist with the Anti-Apartheid Movement for 30 years, I am greatly cheered to have recently read in your paper that the President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela, has taken an important initiative in the East Timor struggle for its independence. Let us hope that the efforts of the world's most respected statesman will influence Indonesia to do the right thing by East Timor. Thank God for activists like Nelson Mandela and, indeed, Tom Hyland of ETISC, who has done outstanding work in apprising us of the illegal occupation and brutal suppression perpetrated by Indonesia on East Timor. - Yours, etc.,
Gearoid Kilgallen,
Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin