JOHN CARROLL,
Madam, - I am writing to offer my support to the men and women of the US, British and Australian armed forces who are either stationed in or travelling to the Middle East.
These men and women will be risking their lives in a possible war against a murderous tyrant, a man who has invaded Iran and Kuwait, who has committed mass murder against his citizenry and caused his people to suffer food and medical shortages because he chose to develop nuclear and chemical weapons of mass destruction rather than to co-operate with the UN Security Council.
For too long the West has supported tyrants for our own selfish gain. For example, we sold beef to Iraq when Saddam Hussein was at the height of his power in the 1980s.
For too long we have placed geopolitical aims above those of democracy and a respect for human rights. For too long we have been prepared to subjugate the people of the Middle East to horrific regimes in order to guarantee safe delivery of oil.
Thankfully, with regard to Iraq at least, that policy is changing. Quite possibly, the war is motivated by selfish reasons, but like the first Gulf War, the NATO intervention in Kosovo, or the recent war in Afghanistan, the true victors will be the people liberated from another unjust regime. There are 24 million Iraqi citizens suffering under Saddam Hussein's regime. If the US is given full UN support in any war, those people could be living in a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Iraq next year.
I am glad that all we are asked to give in this effort is the use of Shannon airport. Surely giving up that asinine policy of neutrality is not too high a price to support a truly just war.- Yours, etc.,
JOHN CARROLL,
Ratoath,
Co Meath.
... ... * ... * ... * ... ...
Madam, - As a culture, we Irish have an inherent characteristic of rejecting the validity of a law when it suits our self-interest. Therefore, how can we vilify the Americans for ignoring Irish neutrality when it is in America's self-interest? - Yours, etc.,
EDWARD D. RAFFERTY,
Millpark,
Castlebridge,
Co Wexford.