Madam, - In a military conflict between states, only those states that offer no support to either side are neutral. In the present war Ireland is not such a state. Accordingly, in the present war, Ireland is not neutral.
War commonly brings the loss of truth, often achieved by the abuse of language. - Yours, etc.,
GARRET BARDEN Duke's Lane, Tallow, Co Waterford.
Madam, - "Mr Ahern added: 'Our position is that we will not participate in this war - we are not supportive of it - but we are totally supporting the humanitarian relief effort'." (The Irish Times, March 26th).
Could Mr Ahern explain, to those of us yet to be initiated into the arcane machinations of his realpolitik, just exactly how fuelling warplanes on their way to fire missiles and bombs into and onto concentrated civilian populations constitutes "humanitarian relief".
Enlightenment will be most welcome. - Yours, etc.,
DAMIEN FLINTER, Tullyvoheen, Clifden, Co Galway.