MICHAEL SMITH TD,
Madam, - Satire is an important part of comment on public life and politicians. Irony can be a powerful emetic of political pride. I myself can testify with gratitude to the character-building effects of public mortification.
When however, Swiftian barb knots with common sarcasm the potentially edifying become ugly. It demeans rather than enlightens. Joe Humphreys's Irishman's Diary of February 11th crosses the line into invective.
His flippant advocacy of Ireland getting off the fence on Iraq may have clocked up the number of words required for his copy. Sadly, however, it trays a crusading ignorance of the complexities of the issues. His ham-fisted attempt to fillet the Taoiseach with his biro is not only wearisome prose. It seeks to make a cartoon of the unfolding Iraqi crisis.
Ireland continues to work to ensure that the decisions that Mr Humphreys wishes to rush upon us will in fact be avoided. The Taoiseach rightly summed up our position a few days ago when speaking of the choices that may ultimately be forced upon us: that "we will have to consider the position at that stage". Our vital national interest not to mention other issues of resounding global importance are at stake.
Ireland is a small country. We have the most globalised economy in the world. Our people also have a deep commitment to the principles of the UN. In the circumstances the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs rightly refuse to fritter our credibility away in hapless grandstanding.
Mr Humphreys, in shooting from the hip, wants the Government to dance any dance only so long as he is given a gratifying sense of movement. If the crisis that Mr Humphreys so longs for is in fact forced upon the Government, then he can count in spades the cost of the failure to reach a peaceful solution of the current crisis.
As Minister for Defence I have stood with families as they have received back home the remains of their loved ones who have died in the cause of peace and wearing the blue beret in far-flung places. The Taoiseach's painstaking diplomacy may bore Mr Humphreys. Sadly, he may soon have his wish to live in interesting times come true. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL SMITH TD,
Minister for Defence,
Dáil Éireann,
Dublin 2.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - We the undersigned wish to voice our objection to the use of Shannon airport by the US Military as a refuelling base for its operations.
Such a use of Shannon is in breach of Ireland's commitment to neutrality and undermines Ireland's status as a non-partisan voice in the international arena.
In the event of war in the Middle East, the Irish people would be implicated in any unjustified civilian losses and humanitarian crisis that would ensue.
Finally, it places Ireland unnecessarily at risk as a potential terrorist target, and therefore is contrary to the security interests of the public.
In the militarisation of Shannon Airport, we find no benefit whatsoever for the Irish people. We therefore ask that the Government reverse its current position without further delay. - Yours, etc.,
ANDY IRVINE,
ARON BENNETT
(The Beat Roots),
CATHERINE CUNNINGHAM,
CHRISTY MOORE,
CLANNAD,
CLIVE BARNES,
CONOR LOVETT,
CORMAC BREATNACH,
DAVEY ARTHUR,
DAVID HEAP
(Fair City),
DECLAN MURPHY
(The 4 of Us),
DOROTHY CROSS,
THE DUBLINERS,
EDDIE FUREY,
EOIN COUGHLAN,
FRANCES BLACK,
GEMMA HAYES,
GER WOLFE,
GLEN HANSARD
(The Frames),
JIMMY CROWLEY,
JIMMY McCARTHY,
JOHN SPILLANE,
JUDY HEGARTY-LOVETT,
KAREN CASEY,
KATE O'TOOLE,
LUKA BLOOM,
MARY BLACK,
MARY COUGHLAN,
MATT CRANITCH,
METISSE,
NIALL VALLELY,
OLWEN FOUERÉ,
PAUL CLEARY,
RÓNÁN Ó SNODAIGH
(Kila),
SABINA BRENNAN
(Fair City),
SHANE MCGOWAN,
SINÉAD O'CONNOR,
ZRAZY,
Irish Artists for Peace,
Parnell Square,
Dublin 1.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - It has all the ingredients of the classic Western; the dim-witted and hugely arrogant mustachioed bandit in his redoubt; the rabid, and hugely rich, beardy-weirdo hiding in the desert after blowing up the bank; and the righteous, and hugely misguided, Wyatt "Dubya" Earp getting ready to ride into town. One wonders if the last mentioned can keep his Peacemaker in the holster.
After all, the true measure of the Grand Old Duke of York was that he "marched them down again". - Yours, etc.,
EAMON SWEENEY,
South Hill,
Dartry,
Dublin 6.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - Tom Cooney's opinion piece in your edition of February 12th raises more questions than it answers at a time when clear positions are becoming more important.
Mr Cooney believes the actions of France, Russia, Germany and other countries create paralysis in the international system. However the whole logic of the UN system is to prevent one state, or a small number of states, waging unjust war. Flawed as it is, the Security Council system at least ensures that there must be a broadly based consensus before the most drastic actions can be taken.
The fact that three permanent members of the Security Council feel war is not the correct response at this time and can thus withhold international approval should be seen as a strength of the system, rather than a weakness.
Mr Cooney states: "Therefore the coalition may suspend the ceasefire and go to war." This goes to the heart of the question. Those who oppose the unilateral approach to this conflict believe it is the UN and not the "coalition" which must address this crisis. International law and policy must be made collectively and not by some self selecting group. Mr Cooney does not provide any evidence that the US is at the front line of terrorism from Saddam Hussein. Colin Powell's presentation to the Security Council merely pointed to one group in Northern Iraq, where it is well known Saddam's power does not extend, while Mr Blair's dossier has been discredited as a plagiarism of a student essay!
Mr Cooney goes on to propose a new doctrine for international relations grandly entitled "anticipatory pre-emptive self defence". Perhaps this will be a new plea in court when someone is charged with serious assaults: "It was only anticipatory pre-emptive self defence, your honour". How does this doctrine apply to India and Pakistan, the Middle East and various regions of Africa? It would be a charter for chaos and bloodshed.
There is much more at stake in this conflict than the lives of Iraqi people, tragic as their situation is. The very basis of a civilised and rational approach to international relations will be ripped apart if the US administration pushes ahead with its unilateral attempt at "regime change". The international system is imperfect and in need of major reform. However, it a system worth defending compared with the alternative advocated by the supporters of war. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL McLOUGHLIN,
Riverwood Heath,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - "Cry havoc! and let slip the dogs of war."
A couple of Yankee poodles? - Yours, etc.,
GILLIES MACBAIN,
Templemore,
Co Tipperary.