Madam, - Tony Blair is now being accused of manipulating intelligence reports to boost his case for war. Time magazine reports that in March 2002 Mr Bush said "F--- Saddam, we are taking him out".
Last October he said Iraq possessed and produced chemical and biological weapons and was updating its nuclear weapons programme, yet his various defence and intelligence agencies have found no hard evidence to support the President's claims. Mr Bush was set on war and Mr Blair was his willing ally.
It occurs to me that any time now, with rising coalition casualties and an increasing hostile Iraqi population, President Bush may soon demand the immediate presence of the UN and its agencies to clean up the mess.
Could we then see Irish peace-keeping blue berets patrolling Iraqi towns and cities while Mr Bush withdraws his victorious troops for the next regime change on his agenda - followed, of course, by the next presidential election?
I wonder what Mr Ahern and the Government's reaction would be to such a request if it were made? - Yours, etc.,
ARTHUR DUNNE, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
