Sir, - Lt-Gen McMahon's view that Ireland should move away from UN-mandated peacekeeping to EU peacekeeping does not stand up to scrutiny (July 17th).
Mr. McMahon is rehashing the old argument that, because the UN is largely ineffective, individual countries and power blocs should effectively desert the organisation and pursue their own interests.
This is precisely what occurred after the first World War. The League of Nations, set up to preserve world peace, fell apart because agreement and co-operation were not forthcoming from its members.
The ultimate result of this failure was massive destruction and 50 million dead in the second World War.
The UN is weak and ineffective because it suits its more powerful members, including Europeans, to have it that way. The US is not the only country that acts selfishly in its own interests.
What is required is courage and vision to insist on the major reforms necessary to make the UN an effective and genuine interventionist body. Small neutral countries like Ireland can play a significant role in steering the world away from the centuries-old cycle of death and destruction between competing power blocs.
Surely we can be part of Europe while at the same time maintaining a military distance which will enable us to speak with an authoritative neutral voice through the United Nations.
The alternative is to throw in our lot with the fast-developing European military powerhouse where we will have no influence whatsoever. - Yours, etc.,
Anthony Sheridan,
Cobh,
Co Cork