JANE FALLON
Madam, - Last year we were encouraged, bullied, even blackmailed, to vote in favour of allowing applicant nations to join the European Union. Yet even before they have joined they are breaking ranks with their future partners over the US war with Iraq.
Curious world we live in.
Our minister assures us that there is no terrorist threat to our island because of our allowing US troops to pass through Shannon. Yet the US citizens here have been provided with contingency plans for just such an eventuality.
Curious world we live in.
One of the factors contributing to the outbreak of the second World War was Hitler's refusal to work with the League of Nations.
Curious world we live in.
JANE FALLON, Glenpipe, Tullogher, Co Kilkenny
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - Are people really saying that it's wrong to take action against Iraq because apparently "it's all about oil"? If this is true, then Iraq can never be held accountable for its misdeeds, because the suspicion about motivation will always overshadow the real arguments for and against.
One can just as easily apply the same cynical argument about motivation to those who oppose the US.
France does so because its own oil interests are threatened. The German government does so because the issue was a diversion that helped its government get re-elected. Ireland can be accused of minding its beef exports to the Middle East.
War in Iraq is justified because there is no other way to end the 30 year tyranny of Saddam. A decade of highly destructive (but legitimately imposed) sanctions have failed.
Can anyone seriously doubt that Iraq, under a new regime, with complete freedom to profit from its oil resources, will be better off than it has been for the last 30 years?
It is time for Ireland to stop hiding behind the neutrality figleaf, take a positive stand, and actively support the US and its allies. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL MCMAHON, Strayacre, Oldtown, Fingal, Co Dublin
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - As a US citizen living in Ireland I'd like to thank my Embassy in Dublin for the safety advice as my country prepares for war. I'm truly touched that they care.
But in all honesty would it not make more sense to give the people of Iraq such warnings as to store food and water in case of attack? After all, they are the ones who have all the guns pointing at them, from both my government and their own.
I went to the protest in Shannon airport and I brought my two children (both US citizens) along. At no time did I feel our safety was threatened by anti-Americanism. Despite the serious nature of the issues that brought us there we had a good time in the almost party-like atmosphere of the demonstration. At no time did we feel we should panic. - Yours, etc.
SUSIE LONG, Higginstown, Co Kilkenny