Sir, - How obscene that it takes the blood of the innocent of East Timor to illuminate the dark corners of commerce in our world. The reality of weapons sales from the US, the UK and Europe to Indonesia - temporarily suspended - reveals a never-ending circle of tyranny and suffering at the behest of the arms industry.
Ireland is not exempt from this trade any more. In 1998 a total of 48 licences were granted to companies in respect of the export of military items by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. And now, to add insult to injury, the Government intends to join an alliance dominated by some of these top arms exporters in NATO's so-called Partnership for Peace, without the democratic exercise of a promised referendum of the Irish people.
AfrI, in solidarity with those who suffer from such militaristic self-serving institutions, will walk from Parnell Square to Dail Eireann on Saturday, September 25th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the hope of turning this tide. It may be our last stand before becoming embroiled in partnership with a nuclear military alliance with arms traders at its core. - Yours, etc.,
Joe Murray, Director AfrI, Grand Canal House, Lr Rathmines Road, Dublin 6.