Sir, - The most critical point of Kevin Rafter's report (The Irish Times, October 5th) on Ireland's imminent entry to Partnership for Peace is: "The State would be required to fund the costs of participation, including a proportion of the cost of exercises in which Defence Force personnel participate."
There are three elements to this cost. Firstly, our Defence Forces will have to be brought up to an acceptable level of NATO interoperability. Because of decades of neglect this modernisation will cost many millions of pounds. Secondly, once militarised, Ireland will be obliged to maintain her military equipment standards at enormous ongoing costs. Thirdly, even a proportion of the cost of participation in a NATO exercise will siphon off huge amounts of badly needed funds.
By joining PfP we will be progressing from being a nation with an internal security focus and a proud record of United Nations service to a nation with a proportionally massive and ongoing military budget. Who will gain from this fundamental shift in foreign policy? The arms industry which will supply the equipment and the generals who will get to use it. No wonder they are so enthusiastic. - Yours, etc.,
Anthony Sheridan, Carraig Eoin, Cobh, Co Cork.