Sir, - Why are we as a nation and part of the EU allowing the shunning of Austria? Even critics of Jorg Haider concede that he is no modern-day Hitler. His views on immigration are, if we were to dig deep enough, common in European politics.
Only 27 per cent of Austrians voted for his party, yet we are preparing to cut Austria off totally at a time when we should be trying to forge even stronger links so that the other 73 per cent do not feel shunned.
If Sinn Fein was to be part of a newly elected government (quite likely after the next election) I would fervently hope that the rest of Europe would show some understanding and not cut us off because members of a quasi-military party were part of the government. - Yours, etc.,
H.W. Schnittger, Drumcooley, Edenderry, Co Offaly.