Madam, - The so-called justifications for the invasion of Iraq are rapidly being exposed for what they are - spurious excuses for the forceful occupation and control of that oil-rich country.
The US and Britain claimed there was a link between Iraq and al-Qaeda, but there is no evidence to support that contention.
They claimed Iraq still had weapons of mass destruction that had been hidden from the arms inspectors, yet one week into the conflict none has been used.
They claimed that the majority of Iraqis wanted a US-led force to liberate their country from their hated dictator, yet the anticipated welcome by the Iraqis of US and British forces as liberators has not materialised.
It appears that a great many ordinary Iraqis resent the arrogant invasion of their country by powers which have ensured they remained in a state of increasing hardship and deprivation over the past 12 years. As well they might. - Yours, etc.,
SWITHUN GOODBODY,
Villierstown,
Co Waterford.
Madam, - Surely if the two issues of the use of Shannon on the one hand, and the declaration of war without a mandate from the UN Security Council on the other, are so obviously separate, as stated by the Government, then this position on Shannon should have been made known months ago and the Dáil permitted to debate the policy before hostilities commenced? - Yours, etc.,
SIMON FRASER,
Meadow Park,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Madam, - I believe I enjoy the choice to write this letter because it was largely the Anglo-Saxon democracies that defended that freedom in the second World War and in the Cold War with the Soviet Union that followed it. To a large extent that same coalition is now in the process of bringing an end to the murderous dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
In what I believe is an increasingly dangerous world where rogue states have the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction, I know where I will place my trust to defend Western pluralist democracy with all its faults.
At a time like this it would be wise to remember that the Libyan regime chose to wage proxy war on the UK by providing "ordinary" weapons, including guns and Semtex , to the IRA. That action contributed to the deaths of close to 2,000 people - men, women and children.
It should not be necessary to spell out the consequences if weapons of mass destruction fall into the hands of an even more fanatical terrorist group apposed to Western values and indeed to moderate Islam.
What defence will we have against such individuals, who are in a rush to reach Paradise doing God's will by waging Jihad? - Yours, etc.,
TONY MORIARTY
Shanid Rd
Dublin 6W
Madam, - Watching the live coverage on March 21st of the blitz on Baghdad reminded me of my feelings while watching the live coverage of another city burning; New York on September 11th, 2001. The same sickening scenes of smoke billowing from a city skyline. No doubt the same feeling of terror for the innocent people caught up in the attacks suffering the same sorts of injuries, feeling the same grief, misery and despair.
The rescue services in New York were caught in the collapse of buildings on that fateful day. The television reporter witnessing events in Baghdad saw ambulance crews doing their job as three bombs fell where they were. Two devastating bombs rocked New York and the effects changed the world. Hundreds of bombs rained on Baghdad and there are more to come. The effects of the scenes in that city will also reverberate around that tense region and the world.
The difference? New York was attacked by a small group of terrorist extremists intent on war. Baghdad was set alight by the most powerful nation in the world, which claims its motivation is peace. It seems the war in Iraq is in fact about weapons of mass destruction, after all. Not the pathetic Iraqi tracer fire that tried in vain to stop the attack, or the rifles held by gaunt soldiers in mismatched uniforms. The real weapons of mass destruction were the 1,000-lb bombs that fell on that unfortunate city.
Can the invasion of an impoverished state by a superpower ever hope to put an end to terrorism? Or is it merely fanning the flames of outrage and humiliation that is a breeding ground for terrorism in the first place? Is terror a way to fight terror? Can violence on this shocking scale ever result in peace and justice? Or are we witnessing the "roadmap" to a never-ending cycle of tension, bloodshed and war? - Is mise,
AINE McSHANE,
Phibsboro Road,
Dublin 7.
Madam, - That we can place every single possible obstacle in the way of a just and fair offensive against the unelected Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein speaks volumes. The war, of course, was always going to happen. The moral weakness, blatant bureaucracy and vested interests within the UN would never have prevented the United States from doing what is right.
Ireland was no different. We chose not to support the allies - our so-called friends and our two most important trading partners. They, of course, do not need us at all, but unfortunately, the reverse is not the case. If our non-support and non-co-operation ultimately results in any significant loss of US business, our country's economy will collapse.
The media manipulation has been unprofessional and biased. For instance, there is not a young child in the world that would not be excited at the prospect of war, because of their tender years. Scared? Disturbed? Are the media elements that suggested this kidding us? Kids love a diversion like this to get away from the torpor of the daily humdrum routines.
Irish people have always tended to be morally weak and "go with the flow", but this situation has been completely misjudged by the majority of people here, who are pro-Iraq and anti-US/UK. As the saying goes, if you lie down with the dogs, you'll get up with fleas. I predict there will be a lot of people scratching themselves over the next few months. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN O'BRIEN,
Coliemore Road,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - I am continually amazed that the primary reason to invade Iraq has never been discussed in the mainstream media. The war is not about oil but the currency in which oil is traded, the almighty dollar.
The fact that OPEC oil is traded in US dollars has provided a massive prop to the deficit-heavy US economy over the past 30 years, allowing the US to become the economic superpower it is today. If OPEC decided to suddenly switch to a Euro standard, the prop would be removed and the effects on the US economy would be devastating.
Iraq decided to adapt a Euro standard for its oil trade in late 2000 and is currently enduring the punishment for its decision. Countries such as Venezuela and Iran, considering the switch, will experience more attention from the US when the Iraq war is over. The US is currently trying to neutralise the ringleader before it becomes obvious how vulnerable it is. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN DOOLEY,
Church Park Lawn,
Dublin 6W.
Madam, - There is a word to describe Ahern and his Ministers but I am too much of a lady and good Christian to mention it. That Fianna Fáil Ministers have lost the run of themselves there is no doubt. Have they forgotten who voted them into power?
It is beyond my comprehension how our grovelling Government representatives in the Dáil could possible go against the wishes of the people and favour economics above human life. Let there be no mistake about what they have done by allowing the Americans the use of Shannon Airport during this terrorist attack on Iraq. They have broken with the majority of the electorate.
God bless Iraq and her people. May God forgive America and the UK. - Yours, etc.,
GORETTI McMAHON,
Mount Catherine,
Clonlara,
Co Clare.
Madam, - Two pictures in Monday's Irish Times epitomised American hypocrisy in invading Iraq and the high standards the Americans claim they follow in conducting the war.
They say their aim is to "liberate", not to colonise, Iraq; but what message does their raising of the US flags (as displayed on page 16) send out to the inhabitants of Umm Qasr?
They protest vehemently about the Iraqis "parading" American POWs in front of the media in contravention of the Geneva Convention; yet they have no problem in allowing the US press to photograph Iraqi POWs as shown on page 8.
In this case two pictures taint thousands of words. - Yours, etc.,
KEN TONER,
Rockfield,
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.
Madam, - Pragmatism and self-interest do not make an unjust war just. Neither do such concerns justify the appalling loss of innocent lives. I fear that history will pass harsh judgment on the war in Iraq and those who supported it. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr PAT F. O'CONNOR,
Lough Guitane,
Muckross,
Co Kerry.
Madam, - As an American national living in Ireland, I attended last Thursday's protest at the United States Embassy as a concerned individual. I was impressed by the Garda Síochána's presence and the heartfelt concern of Irish citizens protesting against this absurd war. However, I was truly ashamed of my country when a member of the embassy's staff appeared at a top-floor window and gave us protesters the one-finger salute. While I am an advocate of the First Amendment, I felt the gesture typified the current arrogance of the US government's stance in contrast to the global community's, as well as providing the perfect metaphor for George W. Bush's intellectual rationale in conducting this act of Anglo-American imperialism. - Yours, etc.,
CHARLES TRAVIS,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.
Madam, - Malcolm Byrne (March 24th) is of course correct to point out that we are fortunate to live in a democracy, where we are free to protest against our Government and its policy on the war in Iraq. He suggests that we should reflect on the fact that we enjoy this freedom, which of course is not shared by the Iraqi people.
I have done as he suggested and reflected on the freedoms we in the West often take for granted, and I agree that we would not be able to engage in protests if we were living in a dictatorship such as Iraq. We live in a democracy, and we have a right to expect our Government to listen and respond to the views of its citizens. We likewise have a duty to protest when our Government ignores us.
I know I am not alone in believing that a developed Western democracy should demand of its rulers a higher standard of conduct than a third-world dictatorship. - Yours, etc.,
CIARÁIN MacLOCHLAINN,
Dunmore,
Co Galway.
Madam, - All of this has happened before! The Coliseum, the gladiators, the blood, the crowds. - Yours, etc.,
SEAN KIELY,
Enniscorthy,
Co Wexford.