Madam, - I read in your edition of February 26th that the leader of the democratic Irish Republic has urged Irish people not to protest against the visit in June of the leader of the democratic United States of America. This really confirms how out of touch and arrogant the Fianna Fáil leader has become.
Bertie, I hate to break it to you, but there are Irish people who oppose US foreign and environmental policies. Not only do they have the right to air their opposition - they may even feel it is their duty.
Our leader also tells us that the US economy is now doing very well and there is a prospect of promoting investment and trade. If he considers this is an argument for urging Irish people not to hold peaceful, democratic protests, then both his and Fianna Fáil's values really must be called into question. - Yours, etc.,
FINNIAN MATHEWS, Balbriggan Street, Skerries, Co Dublin.
Madam, - The announcement that George W. Bush has accepted an invitation to visit Ireland fills me with anger - and I believe the majority of people in the country share this feeling.
Because of his administration's foreign policies, with their total disregard for the views of the rest of the world - as demonstrated by the US attitude to the UN concerning Iraq - I and those of a similar mind do not want him in this country under any circumstances.
That he will be welcomed on our behalf by a fawning Bertie Ahern playing the "Uncle Tom Paddy" is the ultimate emetic.
The current US administration labels the stance I take as "paranoid anti-Americanism". Before the Uncle Tom Paddies make the same judgement they should read Noam Chomsky's book Hegemony or Survival - America's Quest for Global Dominance, which lays bare the reality behind the current US regime's motives and activities. - Yours, etc.,
DES BYRNE, Avalon, Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - The Taoiseach is certainly out of touch with Irish public opinion if he thinks that his call for no protests when President Bush arrives in Ireland in June will be entertained.
On the contrary, the visit of George Bush will give us the opportunity to assemble one of the biggest peaceful marches in Ireland to date. The huge protests against President Reagan's visit in the 1980s will pale into insignificance compared with the reception George Bush will get here in June.
We have not only the right to peaceful protest, but we have the duty not to allow Bush to use the visit to bolster his bid for re-election.
What a nightmare it is even to contemplate another term for George Bush as US president. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN BUTLER, NGO Peace Alliance, Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7.