COLUM MacDONNELL,
Madam, - Osama bin Laden must be very happy with the havoc he is creating. The immediate results of the 9/11 attack were more terrible than even he had hoped. Since then a false trail has led to to Baghdad, not to his own door or place of refuge.
The Bush/Rumsfeld response has caused widespread splintering, in the US and in transatlantic relations. Europe is becoming polarised, the UK is divided and Mr Blair may have to pay a heavy price.
Hundreds of thousands of troops are massing on the borders of the only secular state in a fundamentalist region of the world. In Ireland the peacemakers are branded pinkos, lefties or naïve. World stock markets are living a nightmare.
Are we all in danger of falling into Bin Laden's trap? - Yours, etc.,
COLUM MacDONNELL,
Gleanageary,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - In March 2001 it was my proud privilege, as Cathaoirleach of Killarney Town Council, to host a civic reception for some of the firemen who had served with enormous bravery at the holocaust in New York on September 11th, 2001. Last month I was equally proud to participate in a walk for peace.
Both actions were compatible - not just in being expressions of a desire for peace, but also in denouncing the unspeakable evil of pre-emptive military strikes and the resultant destruction of precious life.
Neither act could possibly be construed as being anti-American. An Tánaiste, Mary Harney, does herself a grave injustice by her inane yet insulting comments. She owes to many a profound public apology. - Yours, etc., - Is mise,
Cllr MICHAEL GLEESON,
South Kerry
Independent Alliance,
Clasheen,
Killarney,
Co Kerry.
Madam, - Hearing the Green Party equivocating and failing to condemn the violent aspects of the Shannon Airport protests calls to mind the attitude of republican politicians who fail to condemn violence from certain elements of their supporters.
What has happened to the Green Party which claimed to be a party of principle? - Yours, etc.,
ENDA MURPHY,
Wicklow Town,
Co Wicklow.
Madam, - There is an Irishman in Bagdad, working as a peace campaigner, witness and advocate for the Iraqi people since October 2002. He has helped visiting Oireachtas committees, delegations of MEPs, families of September 11th victims and various world media personnel. He has campaigned in Ireland for years for justice in Iraq and an end to sanctions. He has met weapons inspectors, UN Commissioners, the Taoiseach and various Minister,s including the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He intends to stay in Bagdad if and when bombs drop, not as a human shield but as a witness and advocate for Iraqi people. He is my brother.
Ireland has a strong history of peace-keeping and conflict resolution; Michael is testament to that history. If my brother and innocent Iraqi people are murdered in a pre-emptive military attack, I as an Irish citizen will hold Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen and the present Government responsible for contravening the European Convention on Human Rights, which Ireland has ratified, and for being actively complicit in aiding war crimes through their silence and the provision of Shannon Airport.
My brother's life and the lives of innocent Iraqi people are not for sale, not for percieved jobs or oil. - Yours, etc.,
DEBORAH BIRMINGHAM,
Thomas Court,
Dublin 8.
Madam, - I would like to ask the anti-war marchers and all those who are so concerned for the well-being of the Iraqi people: Why do you care?
I am not by any means pro-war, but I have to wonder why everyone is so heated over this particular issue. Maybe I missed the huge demonstrations that took place during the time of America's carpet-bombing in Kosovo, but I don't seem to recall the human shields heading out there.
I would also like to ask what most of the Irish public would do if faced with an Iraqi on the street. If, as I suspect, the reaction were to be similar to the welcome given to the thousands of other immigrants who have recently entered our country, then I think, as a nation, we should put aside the fake sympathy, sit back and enjoy the pretty pictures on Sky News before we flick over to some mindless American sitcom. - Yours, etc.,
STEPHEN McMULLIN,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 3.