Madam, - Until now I have deliberately refrained from commenting on the war in Iraq simply because the issues are much too complex to be dealt with in a short letter. The picture you published on the front page of The Irish Times yesterday has changed all that. It screams for a response from all rational and conscientious human beings. If the American administration has any shred of humanity (let alone Christianity) left, it will end this barbarity.
Our Government, too, should take time off from courting the commercial favours of another bloodthirsty regime in the Far East to make clear to its own citizens, to the American administration, to the Iraqis and the rest of the world that it condemns the persistent abuse of basic human values by the Americans and others in Iraq. - Yours, etc.,
Prof DERMOT WALSH, Newgarden North, Lisnagry, Co Limerick.
Madam, - The horrific front-page photograph of the parentless Iraqi girl, published on George W. Bush's inauguration day, says it all. - Yours, etc.,
KEITH NOLAN, Caldragh, Carrick~on~Shannon, Co Leitrim.
Madam, - I hope George W. Bush saw the picture on the front of The Irish Times. He may be thousands of miles from Iraq, making life and death decisions with the stroke of a pen, but the blood on that young girl's face is also on his hands. - Yours, etc.,
DAMIAN BRUCE, Hazelwood, Shankill, Dublin 18.
Madam, - I disagree with Linda O'Reilly's comment (January 20th) that horrific photographs such as those showing the abuse of Iraqi detainees should not be published. It is important such photographs are shown and articles written because if we do not acknowledge that such incidents occur they will not be stopped.
In Ireland we are wrapped in cotton wool when it comes to recognising how destructive the human race is. So I beg you please to keep showing such photographs so as to raise the level of awareness among Irish people, especially the young (I am 18 myself). Ms O'Reilly believes "detailed description is enough". Surely an active imagination combined with a well-written piece can be more horrific than photographs, - Yours, etc.,
PETER ERIC WAHLRAB, Cavan Road, Kells, Co Meath.