Sir, - Kevin Myers cannot be serious (An Irishman's Diary, December 12th). We do not know exactly what happened at Mazar-e-Sharif. When the Taliban surrendered they should have been disarmed. Were they disarmed? If not, why not?
This earth is not "a kindly place" but it is our business to make it such. Violence begets violence. There can be no winners, especially in a situation where people are prepared to carry out such horrendous atrocities as we witnessed on September 11th. All conflict must eventually be reconciled. Nothing can be achieved until people sit down and talk. Never forget that there are many terrorists who later became respected politicians.
It is true that a long road lies ahead but instead of being "littered with blunders and bloodshed" it should be filled with understanding and reconciliation. Christ's precept to "love one another" is the most difficult to understand and to take on board, but it is the only answer. - Yours, etc.,
Maura Donnelly, King Edward Lawn, Bray, Co Wicklow.