Sir, - As I put my own children to bed each night I cannot but be haunted by the images of the frightened and starving Afghan children on our TV each night. They are truly the innocent victims of this war.
We see them as they make their way on foot, by donkey, or, if they are lucky by battered old trucks out of Afghanistan to avoid the relentless bombing. And into what? An uncertain future, possible death by starvation or exposure before the winter is out. The younger ones crying, the older ones silent and terrified, children carry babies and toddlers as their parents, like beasts of burden, carry their few possessions.
Where is our conscience?
As corporate Ireland focuses on its "bottom line" as a result of the economic downturn following the events of September 11th, and consumer Ireland prepares for the Christmas spending spree, how many of these children will even see December 25th?
This military action cannot be right. There must be another way. Surely the terrorists can be brought to justice through the international courts. It has been done with Slobodan Milosevic, why not with Osama bin Laden?
What about some action from our Minister for Foreign Affairs at the UN Security Council? Isn't it time to stand up for justice? A resolution to stop the bombing in order to provide people with food and shelter is the least we should expect from a country which only 150 years ago suffered its own famine and the subsequent loss of half its population.
We heard enough about the lobbying done by the Department of Foreign Affairs to achieve our seat on the Security Council. What good is it if we cannot use our influence now at this crucial time ? Yours, etc. ,
Margaret Clayton, Dun Daingean, Newcastle, Galway.