Madam, - Seán Love's recent article (Opinion, May 26th) on the vicious conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was a useful reminder to anti-war activists and others in Ireland that wars not covered extensively by the mainstream media are often forgotten.
The death toll as a result of this horrendous conflict is perhaps 3 million dead 1998, yet it scarcely registers as a political issue in Western Europe. This is simply unacceptable.
Government inaction comes as little surprise, but a significant anti-war movement has emerged in recent months and that must surely strengthen the hand of those demanding action. Irish anti-war activists tend to focus on the misdeeds of the United States, partly because we live within the American sphere of influence, but that should not preclude us from speaking out on other wars and conflicts.
As Mr Love points out, the Irish government has strong connections to the Ugandan government which is a significant player in the Congolese conflict and whose military are responsible for extensive human rights violations.
I echo Mr Love in insisting that the Irish Government use its influence to demand an end to Ugandan war crimes and that it work to stop the tragedy that is unfolding on a daily basis.
FINTAN LANE, Chairperson, Cork Anti-War Campaign, Cork.