Sir, – I see Edward Snowden has asked Ireland for asylum (World News, July 3rd). Well, that’s one way to ensure we won’t have to entertain the Obamas again. – Yours, etc,
NIALL McARDLE,
Wellington Street,
Eganville, Ontario,
Canada.
Sir, – How convenient for those countries, Ireland and Finland among them, that application for asylum can only be made if the applicant is already in the country concerned. It now appears that an aircraft suspected of carrying Mr Snowden to any such country would be denied entry into their airspace. Thus such states reward the person who brought to their attention the fact that they and their citizens were being spied upon.
Given that Ireland was even considered indicates the desperateness of his position. Was he not aware that a proposed chewing gum tax was dropped when concern was expressed by US interests at the level of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland?
If we are not prepared to upset such a body, what were the chances that the Irish Government would incur the displeasure of the United States of America?
The disclosures and the reaction of those “sovereign states” to this affair have given credence to the assertions of those who suggest the existence of the “American empire”. – Yours, etc,
DAVID FitzGERALD,
Kulmakatu,
Finland.
Sir, – European leaders, including François Hollande, have expressed concern at recent revelations that the United States has carried out surveillance operations in EU offices across Europe. But is this surveillance such a bad thing?
Germany, because of its financial clout, continues to influence EU policy to an unhealthy degree and there are ominous signs that Mr Hollande has hitched his wagon to the German juggernaut. Britain remains weak and directionless, while the rest simply make up the numbers.
To what other power can we turn in order to establish the true nature of EU policies that may have been hatched in Bonn and brought to fruition in Brussels? How much more power will be ceded to Berlin in the future as Germany struggles to balance its books?
The United States, for all its faults, still holds the mantle of global policeman. It is the only democratic country with the resources to keep a sharp eye on the ambitions of autocratic leaders, whether they be Christian, Muslim or agnostic. We should be thankful that we still have access to that priceless resource. – Yours, etc,
NIALL GINTY,
The Demesne,
Killster,
Dublin 5.
Sir, – I think it is bad that no country wants to step up to the plate and offer Edward Snowden a refuge.
This young man has done the world a favour by risking losing everything to let us know just what goes on behind the closed doors of those with the most power in today’s world.
Countries, especially in Europe, should be falling over themselves to let him in.
He should be let into Ireland and accommodated in the same luxury suite Michelle Obama was accommodated in and let him tell the rest of us what he knows. – Yours, etc,
HELENA SWORDS,
Claremorris Road,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – Since, at some considerable risk to his liberty if not to his life, Edward Snowden has performed a service for the European Union, surely the EU has a moral obligation to offer him shelter from prosecution in the United States?
What do we stand for as a European Union, if we cannot stand and defy Goliath at least once in a while? – Yours, etc,
JEAN JOHNSTON,
Rockwood House,
Ballydehob,
Co Cork.
Sir, – Has Mr Snowden tried the Vatican? – Yours, etc,
JOHN MERREN,
Balrothery.
Dublin 24.