Sir, - Michael McLoughlin (October 6th) finds it significant that Australia is taking a lead role in East Timor.
So do I. Australia, along with the United States and Britain, is largely responsible for the present plight of East Timor. In a remarkable interview given by John Howard he described his government as Washington's deputy sheriff. What mattered was the "stability" of Indonesia, and the protection of Western business interests.
Our NATO-friendly Irish government should be pleased. - Yours, etc.,
Mick Wallace, Wellington Bridge, Co Wexford.