Sir, - With the nomination of Mr Javier Solana, secretary-general of NATO, as the European Union's first head of foreign and security policy, it must be clear to even the most bone-headed of our politicians that NATO is tightening its grip on Europe. All the more reason for increased pressure on the Taoiseach to stand by his general election manifesto promise to oppose Irish entry into NATO or any of its agencies.
In the interest of democracy and transparency, and in the light of the bloody mess created by the illegal actions of NATO in the Balkans, it is imperative that a referendum of the people be held on the vexed question of Ireland's joining of NATO's satellite, that bizarrely named Partnership for Peace. What has a Taoiseach, elected by the people, to fear from an honest and open debate on a matter of such importance to Ireland? Or is there some trade-off that we do not know about? - Yours, etc.,
Gearoid Kilgallen, Crosthwaite Park South, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.