Madam, - Always alert to the shameless contortions of the New Fianna Fáil as it tries to escape from the desiccated remnant of its legacy of ethical principles, I read with interest Mr Willie O'Dea's article (Opinion, April 4th) on why the Government's policy on the war must be decided by self-interest.
While it is clear that self-interest has determined most FF policy for very nearly 25 years now, it was Mr O'Dea's inadvertent revelation that we must not "turn our backs on our friends and allies" which finally lifted the seventh veil on his party's dissimulation in the domain of foreign policy.
As a neutral state, how and when did we manage to acquire allies? Do other neutrals have allies too, or is this another solution to an Irish problem? - Yours, etc.,
HUGO BRADY BROWN,
Stratford on Slaney,
Co Wicklow
Madam, Although I disagree with Senator David Norris's position that the use of Shannon by the US military should be stopped, I was quite impressed with his reply (April 7th) to my question about the price of a clear Irish conscience in this war (April 4th). I respect the fact that Senator Norris's position on Iraq has been consistent for many years and that he has put his time and money where his mouth is - which is a lot more than can be said for many of the protesters who proclaim themselves morally superior by virtue of having jumped on the anti-war bandwagon.
It is not my intention to engage in protracted debate with Mr Norris via your paper, as many of his arguments have already been capably refuted in its pages. However, please allow me to make one more point. As a person who left America many years ago in disgust at the rise of the right, who did not vote for Bush, and who started out in opposition to this war, I search my conscience continually as to why I reluctantly support the coalition action. Ultimately it has to do with the fact that yes, it is far more comfortable in my little patch of Blackrock than it is in Baghdad, and one of the reasons for that is that we live in a democratic society, which, hopefully, is what Iraq will become when the horrific Saddam has been deposed and his henchmen vanquished. It is an unfortunate fact that most if not all of the democratic nations of the earth became so through sacrifice and bloodshed.
During the bloodiest war in American history, Abraham Lincoln declared: "The Almighty has his own purposes." He was firm in his belief that neither side could claim moral superiority. All sides in this conflict would do well to remember Lincoln's admonition. Ultimately, history will decide if this war was just. - Yours, etc.,
CAROL STEPHENSON,
Rowanbyrn,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - Before those who opposed military action to remove Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq become too puffed up with sanctimony, let me remind them of an uncomfortable fact, one that seems to be overlooked by the chattering classes in their rush to characterise this war as immoral: inaction also has consequences.
I fully support this war, believing it to be just, moral and the least evil of the limited options available. I must also, however, live with my conscience. By lending my voice in support of this war, I am responsible, at a distant remove, for the deaths of Iraqi civilians and conscripts.
Saddam Hussein's regime has murdered tens of thousands since the end of the first Gulf war, and tens of thousands have also died due to Saddam's cynical misuse of the Oil-for-Food programme. Are those who oppose this war aware that, by their very opposition, they are also, at a distant remove, responsible for the deaths of innocent Iraqis? - Yours, etc.,
DECLAN MANSFIELD,
Grange Road,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
A chara, - How many butchers of Baghdad are there now? -
Is mise,
BRIAN PATTERSON,
Chestnut Grove,
Newry,
Co Down.
Madam, - I would like to thank Ulrike Torinton (April 7th) for her touching concern for my child and assure her that I do not neglect my civic duties in respect of my family.
Rather, I feel it is an essential part of my civic and moral duty as a parent to facilitate my child in voicing her opinion on this invasion. Only a parent who has lain awake with a fretting child worried about the prospect of impending war can understand the need to protest and to allow our children a voice.
I am horrified by the images of war that flood into my living-room every evening, as is my daughter. How can I say to her that it is all right to stand by and allow this to happen? Why should I raise my child to believe that she has no voice?
Those who stand by and say nothing are protecting their children from what, exactly? - Is mise,
LOUISE O'REILLY,
Downpatrick Road,
Dublin 12.
Madam, - "Liberated" children in coffins. Am I missing something? - Yours, etc.,
MAIRÉAD CAREW,
Elm Mount Drive,
Dublin 9.