Madam, - There have been some suggestions recently that it might be seen as an "unfriendly act" if Irish security personnel were to board and inspect the occasional US military or CIA flight through Shannon Airport.
I suspect the reasoning is that sporadic inspections would convey the impression that we thought US agents were up to something "untoward" and we were trying to catch them out. Fair enough.
However, in your Editorial of December 7th you hit just the right note when you say that surely the US has nothing to fear, if it has nothing to hide. So, to avoid the accusations which might result from sporadic checks of aircraft, might I suggest to the Government that a date should be set - say, January 1st, 2006 - after which all military aircraft from any country and all CIA-related aircraft (or aircraft related to the covert services of any state) will routinely be inspected by Irish security personnel.
If the assurances we have been given that nothing "untoward" is happening are genuine, then surely such routine checks will be readily accepted - at least by those who really have nothing to hide. - Yours, etc,
HARRY McCAULEY,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.
Madam, - Having read of the naive acceptance by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Condoleezza Rice's "categorical assurances" regarding the CIA's use of Shannon, I am convinced that Ireland is no longer neutral, just neutered. - Yours, etc.
COLM RODDY,
Bayside Walk,
Dublin 13.
Madam, - In the light of recent events perhaps the Government could now persuade Ivor Callely to undertake certain duties in Shannon. He could be authorised to examine each of those strange US private jets that keep landing there.
Now, I'm sure we all accept absolutely US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's assurances that prisoners transferred through Shannon do not end up being tortured in any third countries with zero human rights credibility. But it would be nice to have complete transparency on the issue and, in his own way, it could be a much needed career boost for the former junior minister. In fact, he could end up being the most extraordinary rendition of all - from Kildare Street to Co Clare. - Yours, etc,
ARTHUR DUNNE,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.