BRIAN QUIGLEY,
Sir, - Globally, we are living in a period of comparative peace. True, we have the tragic situation in the West Bank. Disgracefully, famine and AIDS stalk the African continent. Some world regimes are not all one would hope for. In Europe, we are pursuing a peaceful policy of expansion and integration. The Balkans are, hopefully, in recovery. War criminals are being hunted, apprehended and brought before international justice.
Into this scenario comes the spectre of the Bush administration's ominous sabre-rattling on Iraq. We are faced with the threat of an intervention that could not only destabilise the Middle East but lead the whole planet into conflict.
Dick Cheney's Churchill/Hitler analogy is disingenuous, indeed laughable, considering the calibre and blinkered vision of his superior.
Where are the voices of dissent? Not from the American left, because it would seem that, since September 11th, dissent is seen as unpatriotic.
Unbelievably, voices urging caution come from the erstwhile cabinet of George Bush Snr. Both George Baker and Brent Scowcroft have cautioned against unilateral pre-emptive strikes on Baghdad.
America is becoming increasingly inward looking. Those with an interest in the well being of the global community must speak out. It is a moral imperative. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN QUIGLEY,
Newcourt,
Swords,
Co Dublin.