Sir, - It is very disappointing that the Government has decided not to honour its promise during the last election to hold a referendum on the question of the State becoming a member of Partnership for Peace. This action means that any meaningful debate or discussion by the general electorate has been circumvented: we believe that very many people in the country do not know the full implications of membership and a referendum would have made full information available to all.
Partnership for Peace is a wonderful concept, but what is proposed is a military police force. A voice at the table where powerful nations will listen to Irish advice is also an alluring concept but we believe this to be a pipe dream. We are told that our military forces will welcome and greatly benefit from the training with NATO forces and re-equipping with the most modern arms; surely such actions are for offence rather than defence? We are told that any Irish government of the time will be able to pick and choose in which actions it wishes them to be involved, yet in the affairs of NATO it is the large countries, who believe in retaining strong military forces, who prevail in decision-making.
Ireland's peacekeeping reputation is recognised and valued because Ireland is not tied to any military alliance and has a neutral status which has been seen to work. Despite claims that this will continue it is inevitable that membership with a European military alliance will dispel the recognition gained to date. Ireland should continue to respond to calls from the United Nations rather than to a decision made by NATO.
It appears that a precedent is about to be created whereby any future government can decide what future military action can be undertaken without the electorate having a say and any electoral promise can be brushed aside. This, we believe, is a breach of faith. Should a referendum have been held then it would have been the decision of the electorate and in the future it would have been held responsible.
All violence begets violence as we know only too well in our island and becoming absorbed in a military alliance can only increase that danger despite many of the NATO and other political leaders declaring that all violence from whatever quarter and whatever reason is unacceptable. It is unfortunate that the Government cannot act accordingly. - Yours, etc.,
A. Gordon Pearson, On behalf of the Dublin Quaker Peace Committee, Bloomfield Avenue, Morehampton Road, Dublin 4.