Madam, - Jack Fairweather's damning appraisal of Operation Iraqi Freedom (The Irish Times, February 22nd) commits many of the usual gross journalistic negligences regarding American motives and actions; but they are so endemic to Irish coverage of the situation that frankly I am too bored to be offended.
Iraqis themselves, however, need not suffer from this institutionalised anti-Americanism. We Americans are strong; we can take it. But please do not use Iraq merely as a stick with which to beat us. The fledgling democracy of Afghanistan takes its hopeful first steps in a news black-out, the dregs of European sour grapes.
Iraq's fate still hangs in its balance. Every time you call the murderers of Iraqi civilians "insurgents", every time you belittle Iraq's first ever fair elections, yes, you score a dubious point against Uncle Sam, the new auld enemy. But you also do your small bit to discourage the true operation of Iraqi freedom. - Yours, etc.,
CHARLES LATVIS, Barrackfield, Clogherhead, Co Louth.