Sir, - I see that the Government is thinking of joining the Partnership for Peace with NATO. I wonder if anyone can tell me what is involved in this partnership.
Is it like Switzerland or is it like Albania? Is it like Finland or like Russia? Is it like Estonia or like Sweden? Each is a member of the PfP, but all are different. For example, Switzerland's decision to join was based on the fact that participation would be compatible with Swiss neutrality and it reserves the option to terminate its participation to safeguard the integrity of its neutrality. Estonia, on the other hand, according to its foreign minister in his speech accepting membership, regards PfP "as a means by which to achieve the eventual NATO membership for those who desire to become members, as we, in Estonia, do". - Yours, etc., Gerry Walsh,
Portobello Road, Dublin 8.