Madam, - Those organising the protest against the forthcoming visit of President Bush are apparently expecting up to 100,000 demonstrators to take to the streets. There appear to be two main reasons why their expectations may be well founded.
1. The fact that many people opposed the war in Iraq which removed Saddam Hussein's tyrannical regime from power.
2. The fear that the visit of the US president might provoke a terrorist attack on Ireland.
I am one of those who participated in public demonstrations opposing the IRA's terrorist campaign, which took the lives of men, women, and children, and which was waged allegedly in the name of the Irish people. If 100,000 of my fellow citizens had been concerned enough to join those demonstrations against the IRA's "war", perhaps many of their victims in these islands would be alive today.
In response to the fear that President Bush's visit might provoke a terrorist attack on Ireland perhaps the Government could consider, as many people are demanding, cancelling the presidential visit to the Republic. Then, in order to avoid causing further offence to Osama Bin Laden, the Taoiseach could request instructions from him as to how, as an "independent" state, we should conduct our affairs in the future.
As an additional act of appeasement the Taoiseach could state that, in the struggle between those states which are prepared to defend democracy and international terrorism which wishes to destroy it, we, as in the last world war - sorry "the Emergency"- will remain neutral.
Furthermore, in the event of anything terminal happening to Mr Bin Laden the Government could indicate that it would be quite happy to open a book of condolences and that the Taoiseach would personally sign it, just as an illustrious predecessor of his did on the unfortunate death of Mr Hitler. - Yours etc.,
TONY MORIARTY, Shanid Road, Dublin 6.
Madam, - Bouquets to Senate leader Mary O'Rourke for refusing an invitation to break bread at the US embassy to mark President Bush's visit because of her opposition to the war in Iraq, and in particular the treatment of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison and Guantanamo Bay.
A generous helping of humble pie for the former US diplomat George Dempsey and his mission to shoot the Irish messenger for the "most vicious misrepresentation" of US actions around the world (Opinion, June 23rd). - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL CULLEN, Sandycove, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Can Mr Ahern, flushed with his European success, now use his undoubted skills to convince President Bush to deal with basic civil rights, the Geneva Convention and international courts in a way that would be respected by democratic countries around the world? He has the opportunity to do this in his capacity as a European leader.
At the same time, in his capacity as Taoiseach of a mercenary and self-serving Irish economy, he could reassure President Bush that there is no circumstance that could ever make him even slightly critical of the actions of any American administration. - Yours, etc.,
TERRY GILLESPIE, Stradbally, Co Laois.
Madam, - For months now, anti-war protesters have been telling the us they are not against the American people but instead against George Bush and the war in Iraq. They also claim to be demonstrating against the abuse of prisoners and in favour of human rights. I do not believe them. The evidence suggests that many, if not all, are in fact anti-American.
Tony Blair has been in Ireland several times in recent months and no protests have been directed at him, even though he is George Bush's most important ally in Iraq.
For years the Soviets used Shannon Airport to ferry troops and weapons to Cuba, Angola and other places where human rights were being abused, but I don't recall any protests against the militarisation of the airport then.
The Chinese premier was recently in Dublin on an official visit. Even though he is one of the leaders of a state that crushes democracy, imprisons human rights protesters, implements a cruel one-child policy and continues illegally to occupy Tibet, there was no protest at his visit.
The pattern is clear: as long as abuses are being committed by Communist or left-wing states, there will be no protests, but if the opportunity presents itself to bash the Americans, it will be taken with gusto. - Yours, etc.,
TREVOR TROY, Athboy, Co Meath.