Sir, - While welcoming the opportunity to express our views in a referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty and the Belfast Agreement, I oppose the fact that we have to vote on both on the same day. They are both of such importance that they should be studied and voted on separately. But we had no say in that.
However, I do not wish to let pass the intimidatory comments as reported in your paper by the leader of Democratic Left, Proinsias De Rossa, where he spoke of those who intend voting No to the Amsterdam Treaty as "a strange alliance ranging from extreme nationalism to wealthy businessnmen" (The Irish Times, May 5th). These tactics remind me of Chile's Pinochet, who in reference to a referendum in his own country said that it was a vote for him or a vote for chaos. Mr De Rossa's intolerance is insulting to sincere people who intend voting No and whose opposition to the treaty is in no way a "cynical smokescreen for a more selfish agenda". His attitude is also disrespectful of the democratic process. Perhaps it is time for his party to change its name again. - Yours, etc., Brendan Forde, OFM
Merchants Quay, Dublin 8.