DAVID CARROLL,
A chara, - Does American arrogance know no bounds? The US Defence Secretary dismisses the views of Germany and France as "old Europe" and, amazingly given the legendarily pitiful geographical prowess of Americans, claims that "the centre of gravity is shifting to the East" to countries who are "with the United States".
Apart from the fact that these two countries have been and remain the central driving force behind EU policy, I must wonder whether Mr Rumsfeld is completely ignorant of the fact that France holds the current presidency of the United Nations Security Council (as well as power of veto) while Germany takes it over in February, putting them both in a pretty powerful position at a crucial time in this current crisis.
And as for the countries to the East, the last time I checked, Russia and China, two other permanent members of the council with power of veto, were a lot closer to the Franco-German position, and indeed the bulk of world opinion, than to that of the US.
So who exactly does Mr Rumsfeld think he is fooling, unless it's himself, his President and his fellow citizens - an entirely plausible and frightening possibility indeed? - Is mise,
DAVID CARROLL, Castle Gate, Dublin 2.
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Madam, - I wish to join the growing tide of angry concern at the use of Shannon Airport as a stop-over for American military aircraft and personnel.
The Government appears to forget that concern over our neutrality was one of the key issues that made people decide to vote No in the first Nice referendum. Now we find ourselves being drawn into preparations for war.
By compromising our neutrality in this way, we risk the real danger of being identified by international terrorists as a soft target for retaliation against America. Any potential economic benefit from being involved in the war preparations would be quickly wiped out by a major terror attack in this country.
No one disagrees about the need for international co-operation against terrorism. It is another thing altogether to co-operate with the current preparations for war against Iraq being made by an administration with its own interests at heart. We did not elect Mr Bush or his policies.
I would like the Government to answer the following questions:
Who gave permission for the use of Shannon as a stop-over to the American military and where did they receive their mandate?
In the event of an American-led war against Iraq, is the use of Shannon by US military likely to escalate? Will nuclear-armed aircraft be deployed on Irish soil? - Yours, etc.,
NOREEN RAMSAY, Brickhill East, Cratloe, Co Clare.
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Madam, - The report that Colin Powell has promised to hold Iraq's oilfields "in trust for the Iraqi people" reminds me of my mother's promise to "mind" my Holy Communion money for me. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN GRAHAM, Warrenshouse Road, Dublin 13.
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Madam, - For "Iraqi empty warheads" read Bush and Blair! - Yours, etc.,
DEIRDRE HEWITT, Avoca, Co Wicklow.