A chara, - Although she writes to disagree with me, I actually agree with Valerie Hughes (September 5th) when she ways that "every international situation must be considered individually on the basis of its history and the circumstances of the conflict". But we must not make the rules up as we go along; the same criteria must be applied to each case, regardless of any party's relationship to Nato or to the routes of oil pipelines.
It is odd that US vice-president Dick Cheney calls on the "the free world to rally to the side of Georgia". Perhaps he has not read reports that Georgian riot police in Tbilisi in November 2007 crushed a rally calling for President Saakashvili's resignation, and closed a TV station that had broadcast opposition statements accusing him of corruption. And it is just as odd that Mr Cheney should lavish praise on Mr Saakashvili in the wake of his unilateral military misadventure in South Ossetia while at the same time saying that "Russia's actions have cast grave doubts on Russia's intentions and on its reliability as an international partner". For I see a striking similarity between Georgian and Russian tactics in dealing with political dissent and sovereignty issues: police batons for the one; tanks and missiles for the other.
We must approach both of these authoritarian states with great caution. As a precondition to close relations with the EU, both countries must be required to uphold freedom of assembly and of expression, and to make a commitment to the non-violent resolution of sovereignty disputes through negotiation.
I think Ms Hughes will agree that this is consistent with the recommendations of the Kosovo Report. - Is mise,
Dr COILÍN ÓhAISEADHA,
Bóthar Inse Chór,
Cill Mhaighneann,
Baile Átha Cliath 8.