Sir, - Our group was struck by the reports of the ceremony at the US Embassy to commemorate the terrorist attacks in New York on 1 September 11th (The Irish Times, December 12th).
We have, of course, written to our Ambassador, Mr Richard Egan, to express our sympathy for those who died in the attacks. We have also expressed our deep opposition to any war on Afghanistan as a reprisal. Unfortunately, we have not received a reply from our Ambassador, who, presumably, like others in the Bush Administration, sees fit to cast aside those in opposition to this war as "un-American". We would like once again to take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the ambassador.
Our group commemorated the tragedy in New York with others in a silent vigil outside Iveagh House. We stood in peaceful witness to those who died in New York, but also, importantly, to those who have died and who will continue to die in the ongoing attacks on Afghanistan.
Like Mr Brian Cowen, I too have recently visited "Ground Zero" and I too was "impressed with the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity". I was also overwhelmed with feelings of loss as a US citizen by the memories of many visits to the World Trade Centre, and many exciting rides to the top with my children. I recalled vividly the celebration of my graduation from college with a dinner in Windows on the World - the former restaurant at the top of the WTC.
In the midst of my loss, however, I was also struck by the tens of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors who thronged the streets, the shops and the theatres. I was also struck by the spirit of Christmas in the air - New York is awash with expensive, sophisticated decorations. In sum, New York is managing to come back to life.
The devastation wreaked on Afghanistan is another story - it will of course take generations to rebuild and repair that country. Those Afghans who suffered and survived years of civil war, drought and famine, and then six years of the Tal ban, must surely now cry to God, "Why us?", as US bombs rain down on them and their homeland in pursuit of a man they do not support and a government they did not elect.
The US of course does not act alone in this meaningless attack on Afghanistan. History will judge Mr Brian Cowen harshly for his tenure as chairperson of the UN Security Council when it unanimously supported this atrocious war. It is entirely questionable whether the noted "success" of this nightmare - the newly cobbled-together "interim administration" - can bring any kind of peace and justice to Afghanistan, born as it was, by the most undemocratic means.
It is not too late for Ireland to act bravely. As the US seeks to widen this war and support further havoc in the Middle East, Mr Cowen can do the right thing and cry stop. The Security Council can reclaim its authority and protect Afghanistan from further slaughter.
What is required is that one member stand up in the Security Council and speak out now against these attacks and this murder of the innocent. Ireland can be that member, if it only dares to be. - Yours, etc.,
Mary Van Lieshout, US Citizens in Ireland for Alternatives to War, Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2.