Sir, - NATO is at war in Europe. Ireland is about to debate its relationship with NATO in the Partnership for Peace with partisan information. Simply, Ireland is in a NATO zone of information. No doubt this is more objective than Serbian propaganda. The Serbian authorities are killers. But what we are seeing on our screens is not what the Russians or even Greeks are seeing, let alone the Serbs. It is incredible to suppose that the Kosovan crisis, for the first time in history, has produced neutral information from a participant in war. All of history tells us that there is always another side to any conflict.
Ireland's contribution to world foreign policy should start with the creation of a neutral public space where there would be objective information and a forum for all interests to express their view. Ireland could be a neutral venue for information and dialogue. This is something really worthwhile as a contribution to world peace. It would involve money, willingness, ability, and hard work. But it could and should be done. It would mean public, and if possible private, investment in independent public service broadcast and print media, and the creation of an independent institutional forum. The £40 million spent on armoured personnel carriers could have bought a dialogue for peace.
A neutral public space is also something that Ireland is in a unique position to create. We are English-speaking, educated, European, have a history of neutrality and democracy, and good communication infrastructure. We have the chance to make a unique contribution. - Yours, etc., Diarmuid Rossa Phelan,
Law Library, Four Courts, Dublin 7.