Sir, - The Nice Treaty referendum was lost to a large degree because people believed that a vote for Nice was a vote for NATO, an organisation established in 1949 for the purpose of collective security. NATO this week pledged its support fully behind the United States. An attack on one NATO member was an attack on all.
We in Ireland should use this chance to think seriously about our neutrality. The hijacking of planes and the killing of innocent people of all nationalities hits at the heart of democracy, and it is every person's responsibility to protect democracy.
Is Ireland not shedding its duty? Do we not owe more to ourselves and to our neighbours? - Yours, etc.,
Kathleen O'Sullivan, Amiens Square, Dublin 1.