Sir, - The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen, has condemned our campaign slogan, "No to NATO, No to Nice" (The Irish Times, May 24th).
The military annexes to the Nice Presidency Report referred to in the Nice Treaty detail the close working relationship between NATO and the EU. Is Mr Cowen unaware of these? The Nice Presidency Report refers to "a permanent and effective relationship" between NATO and the EU. Ten countries send the same representatives to the EU military committee as they do to the NATO military committee. The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has stated that the European Rapid Reaction Force will enhance and strengthen NATO capabilities. There are regular meetings of the four joint EU-NATO working groups.
It is spurious to imply, as the Minister does by saying that NATO is a "totally separate organisation", that the EU and NATO are not working hand in glove. - Yours, etc.,
Roger Cole, Chairperson, Peace and Neutrality, Alliance, Blackrock, Co Dublin.