Madam, - Thanks to Tom Clonan's article "Flying in the face of Controversy" (Weekend Review, June 23rd), it is painfully obvious that Irish "neutrality" is but a myth, and Ireland is de facto a tool of the US imperial war machine. From his revealing and disturbing report of his meeting with members of the USAF Thunderbirds squadron, it is clear that the Salthill Air Show provided a platform for blatant US propaganda. We have it straight from the horse's mouth, or at least straight from the pilots of the F-16C fighter jets who participated. All had "extensive combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq", and it is interesting to note that two of these battle-hardened fliers are women, both keen to become mothers.
Tom Clonan tells us that "the Thunderbirds pilots and ground crew are unanimous in their view that Ireland is an important ally of the US in the international war on terror". The words of Maj Samantha Weeks must strike a chill into the hearts of those who valued our neutrality and integrity in international affairs: "Ireland has taken a stand with the United States for freedom. We want to spread goodwill with Ireland and our other European allies. Ireland is supporting the United States in the war on terror and the Irish people are on the same page as us when it comes to freedom, human rights and democracy."
I wonder how many of your readers feel as outraged and offended by such views as I do? I sincerely hope that the perverted concept of freedom, human rights and democracy practised by the current US administration is abhorrent to all decent Irish people.
Rather than heap blame on brainwashed and misguided USAF personnel we should direct our censure toward our own Government, subservient as it is to Washington in allowing the use of Shannon to US battle troops and the CIA "rendition" planes. It is they who are responsible for the international perception of Ireland as a "bag-carrier" for a sick and discredited US regime. - Yours, etc,
GEARÓID KILGALLEN,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.