A chara, - Marian White of the Labour Party (April 16th) alleges that there has not been a discussion on neutrality and Partnership for Peace within Fianna Fail. Quite the contrary. While she points out that her party is now examining the question (and from reports, there are opposing views expressed by her leader and her president), it has been a topic of debate within Fianna Fail since long before the guns 'n' roses merger of DL and Labour.
As a Fianna Fail member who has always advocated membership of PfP, I welcome the fact that this is now party policy. Our membership will not mean that we are no longer neutral. In fact, I believe that our position of active neutrality will be strengthened.
Neutrality must be defined as not taking sides rather than not taking a view. It means not only having a foreign policy committed to human rights and ethical behaviour, but being willing to back noble words with actions. Indeed, as de Valera said, "Sometimes in order to prevent war, it is necessary to wage war." Clearly, he took that view during the 1930s when Ireland played a leading role in the League of Nations.
PfP is a means of co-operation between European nations to secure peace in Europe. It does not represent a gateway into NATO and few, if any, members of Fianna Fail would favour joining that alliance as it would have serious implications for our ability to maintain our independent position on the world stage.
I accept the point that Fianna Fail policy has changed. It has done so because many of the understandable concerns of members regarding the workings of PfP have been clarified and because of the certainty that by getting involved, we are not committing ourselves to a military alliance.
Foreign policies are revised as thinking and developments evolve. If Marian White doubts that, she should look at her party's and other socialist groups' attitudes towards the European Union and how they have altered in recent decades. - Is mise, Malcolm Byrne,
(Fianna Fail candidate, Gorey Town Commissioners), Ramsfort Avenue, Gorey, Co Wexford.