Sir, - Declan McKenna's response to Niall O'Dowd does not impress (December 27th). Mr O'Dowd was not "attacking" the freedom of speech or democratic rights of Irish critics of the US, but contesting the substance of what they are saying. We have heard a good deal since September 11th from Mr McKenna and his ilk - e.g., Mr. Roger Cole of the "Peace and Neutrality Alliance" (Opinion, December 18th) and "anti-American" seems a fair enough description of their constant, egregious criticism of the foreign and military policies of the US - a nation which has shown itself to be a good friend of Ireland, despite the hostile bluster which emanates so regularly from leftist and neutralist quarters. Incidentally, who or what is the "NGO Peace Alliance"?
Mr McKenna weakens his argument by labelling Mr O'Dowd's position as blunt and ignorant - terms that could more aptly be applied to his own piece. The US has suffered an outrageous assault on its nation and people, with every likelihood of even more deadly attacks to come. The odious regime hosting the leaders and training facilities of the terrorists had to be expunged. War is a very brutal, nasty and fraught business in which one does not always get to choose one's allies. A great, civilised, lawfully governed nation does not undertake it lightly - but if ever there was a defensible war, this is it.- Yours, etc.,
Stephen Rea, St Assam's Avenue, Raheny, Dublin 5.