Madam, - Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, September 22nd) made an intemperate and outrageous assault on the character of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
Personally, I think the dignity and simple eloquence of Mr Annan offers a telling contrast to the crassness of the man Mr Myers prefers, George W. Bush. The US President's reckless bravado ("Dead or Alive", "Mission Accomplished", "Bring 'em on!") stands as a grim counterpoint to the rising death toll in Iraq.
Mr Myers shows all the signs of the Grumpy Old Man syndrome, and that can sometimes be entertaining. However, with his boorish remarks on Annan and Islamic clerics, he sounds more like an inebriate Colonel Blimp spluttering into his port. - Yours, etc.,
TOBY JOYCE, Balreask Manor, Navan, Co Meath.
Madam, - With reference to Kevin Myers's Irishman's Diary of September 22nd, I agree with him most sincerely. A great article. Well done, Kevin. - Yours, etc.,
GILLIAN MANLY, Ashbourne, Co Meath.