A chara, - Article 1 of the Irish Constitution states: "The Irish Nation hereby affirms its inalienable, indefeasible and sovereign right to choose its own form of government, to determine its relations with other nations and to develop its life, political, economic and cultural, in accordance with its own genius and traditions". I believe that for Ireland to join NATO's Partnership for Peace would not be in accordance with either the nation's own genius or its traditions. Our genius, I feel, goes back as far as the times when, before becoming a High King of Ireland, one had first to be a poet.
Our traditions include peacekeeping and neutrality and to join NATO's Partnership for Peace - NATO being a nuclear, military alliance - is not in accordance with these traditions.
The issue of joining NATO's Partnership for Peace is complex. Michael McLoughlin (September 27th) rejects the arguments expressed by Joe Murray of AfrI (September 22nd) and others. I do not share Mr McLoughlin's views. However, I do feel such diversity of opinion is a true reflection of public opinion in general. There should be proper discussion and public debate on this issue. To join NATO's Partnership for Peace would be the biggest change in policy since the birth of this State and has major implications for our neutrality. It is an issue for the people of Ireland and the people must be allowed to decide. We are after all, supposed to be living in a democracy.
I am calling on Mr Bertie Ahern and our Government to grant us the referendum which they promised in the 1997 Fianna Fail manifesto. Come on, Mr Ahern. You made a promise, now keep your word. We want a referendum. What are you afraid of? - Is mise,
Sandra FitzGerald, Ardaoibhinn, Ballinlough Road, Cork.