MICHAEL KANE,
A chara, - I must profess deep sadness at the anti-Americanism in so many recent letters about the Iraq situation.
I may be naïve, but it seems to me that an astute, straight-talking, principled US president has achieved what all the waffle, prevarication and cynicism of European and other world leaders has so conspicuously failed to do: force Iraq to (seem to) conform to UN resolutions.
Of course the US acts out of self-interest, but does not every country, state, region act in its own interests as those interests should be the welfare of its constituent citizens? Self-interest includes keeping the world free from terrorism to allow us all the freedom to prosper, speak freely and, most of all, live the span which God offers us, without being blown to pieces in our buildings or streets.
I for one am grateful that America "interfered" in Irish affairs over the past few years to help lay the foundations for an end to our terrorist war. I am grateful that America, out of self-interest, interfered in Europe in 1942 - as indeed I am grateful to Britain for holding the line until self-interest brought the Yanks "over here."
I am grateful that America will expend its treasure and commit the lives of its young people to the maintenance of some order in our fragile world - all in the name of self-interest.
Long live self-interest. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL KANE,
Glenhugh Park,
Belfast 8.