Sir, - In recent times the lexicon of politics has been so debased as to be a newly minted argot of political expediency and opportunism. Who exactly are the "terrorists" now on the world stage?
Raymond Deane (December 6th) rightly draws attention to General Sharon's record particularly in the massacre of Palestinians in Sabra and Shatila in 1982. In an interview with The Irish Times (April 4th, 2000), the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish said: "Israel and Palestine are not neighbours; Israel is built not next to Palestine but on top of Palestine."
In my understanding the actions of Mr Sharon beggar belief. What is his long-term game plan for peaceful Israeli and Palestinian co-existence? Increasingly Mr Sharon's words call to mind those of Isabella in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure:
"Dressed in a little brief authority,
Most ingnorant of what he's most assured,
His glossy essence, like an angry ape,
Play such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As to make the angels weep..."
The grand follies of mere mortal men seem at the close of 2001 to command the world stage. - Yours, etc.,
Deirdre N∅ Chuanachβin, Rushbrooke Links, Cobh, Co Cork.