Sir, - Now that the war against Afghanistan - sorry, the war against terrorists including the de facto government of Afghanistan - has started, one presumes there will be no turning back and the Taliban will be ousted and replaced.
I would like to ask that all democrats do everything in their power to ensure that what replaces the repressive regime of the Taliban is not simply another repressive regime. One hopes there is a plan to set up democratic structures, so that when all this is over, the extreme suffering of the Afghan people will never be repeated.
The action against Afghanistan is being led by the United States, champions of freedom and democracy, supported by other nations in the name of freedom and democracy, as well as by others without such claims.
A sign of a true belief in freedom and democracy would be making Afghanistan a nation that benefits from these ideals.
Is it too much to hope for? - Yours, etc.,
Huw O'Sullivan, Stradbrook Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.