TOMAS MAHER,
Madam, - In 1991 George Bush Snr promised to create a "New World Order" as 90,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Iraq in the course of the Gulf War.
Twelve years later the citizens of the 10 wealthiest countries in this "New World Order" are 75 times richer than those who live in the 10 poorest ones.
"The results of this disparity are the root causes of most of the world's unresolved problems, including starvation, illiteracy, environmental degradation, violent conflict and unnecessary illnesses," said the former US president, Jimmy Carter, in his Nobel peace lecture last December 10th. As the US and Britain gear up for war against Iraq and as our Government co-operates in this war effort by granting the use of Shannon airport for the refuelling of military aircraft en route to the Gulf, are we expected to believe that the carnage about to be inflicted on the civilian population of Iraq by the powerful military establishments of the West will somehow lead to the creation of a more stable, just and equitable world order, and herald a new era of world peace?
Mr Carter warned against powerful countries adopting a principle of preventive war as it may well set an example that could have catastrophic consequences. "To suggest that war can prevent war is a base play on words and a despicable form of warmongering", he told the gathering in Oslo. "The world has had ample evidence that war begets only conditions that beget further war".
There is still time to raise our voices against the drive towards war by the world's most powerful nations that continue to regard war and the threat of war as an acceptable instrument of foreign policy in violation of the ethos of the United Nations. The courageous volunteers who have established a peace camp at Shannon deserve the support of all peace-loving people who disagree with the granting of landing rights to foreign military aircraft in violation of the Defence Act of 1954. It is ironic that less than five years ago the Government received 96 per cent support for pledging its "total commitment to the principles of democracy and non-violence" in a historic referendum poll. Now is the time to honour that commitment and not acquiesce to the killing of more innocent civilians. - Yours, etc.,
TOMAS MAHER,
Raheenroche,
Dungarvan,
Co Kilkenny.
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Madam, - The Government may feel that it can waffle its way out of most issues, but it must face the cold facts. The anti-war sentiment in this country is not some radical socialist movement that can be swept dismissively under the carpet. Anti-war sentiment is held by the majority of people in this country, and in most other countries. Even in Britain, a mere 13 per cent of those polled recently said they supported a joint US/UK attack on Iraq without a UN mandate.
Mr. Ahern usually reads his electorate accurately, but this time he has badly underestimated their intelligence. Irish people are more educated about Iraq, US foreign policy and the oil industry than ever before.
Furthermore, they are still keen on neutrality; they have never said otherwise. The Nice Treaty was promoted with strong assurances to that effect. It's time for another U-turn, Bertie, but this time, one for which most of us will be grateful. - Yours, etc.,
SEAMUS LYNCH,
Seaview Park,
Portrane,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - If it is true that arms and personnel are passing through Shannon on their way to war, then Ireland finally must fundamentally question its notions of neutrality. Despite all our idealisation of neutrality and the UN, we are assisting a country on its way to a unilaterally declared war.
War on Iraq is categorically not a UN-approved mission and thus we have a decision to make: admit we're not neutral and join NATO, or ban US planes from stopping in Shannon (which is not a strategic necessity anyway). For the good (and security) of the country, I hope we opt for the latter.
Yours, etc.,
CARL CULLINANE,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.