Madam, - Full marks to the monks who led last Saturday's Dublin demonstration in solidarity with their Buddhist confrères displaying such courage and leadership on the troubled streets of Burma.
The military rulers there have pulled the plug on communication with the outside world, and we can only guess at what harsh punishments are being suffered by those brave souls who took to the streets in peaceful protest. What we saw on our television screens was both harrowing and inspiring, and, above all, a cry for help from the long suffering people of Burma.
It is too easy to become complacent now that those disturbing pictures no longer intrude into our comfortable lives. But we must not forget what we saw and should be using all means of communication to urge our Government to continue to work for the return of democracy to Burma. I hope the Minister for Foreign Affairs will speak out clearly in every available forum to ensure that the Burmese question stays high on the agenda of the EU, the UN, and the ASEAN states. China, Burma's main trading partner and diplomatic supporter, must be persuaded to lean on the Burmese regime to engage in unconditional talks with Aung San Suu Kyi and the democratic forces.
China is most vulnerable to international diplomatic pressure in light of the forthcoming Beijing Olympics. It has invested too much in what is to be a stunning showcase for the new dynamic China, to risk possible boycott of the games.
This could happen if it is not seen to use its influence to rein in the brutal Burmese regime.
After 45 years of totalitarian rule it is now or never for a return to democracy in Burma. - Yours, etc,
GEARÓID KILGALLEN, Crosthwaite Park South, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.