Madam, - Where is Loretta O'Connor (April 21st) getting her facts? I acknowledge the US and UK forces' recent success in Iraq, but to mention Afghanistan in the same breath is to stretch the imagination too far.
The war lords are still in control of most of that country apart from the heavily policed Kabul area. President Hamid Karzai, the interim leader, has survived several assassination attempts. The production of opium has risen sharply since the fall of the Taliban and profits from that trade support the war lords.
The UN has evidence that General Abdul Rashid Dostrum, the Uzbek warlord and US ally, tortured witnesses to stop them testifying against him in a war-crimes inquiry.
Yes, women do have a few more rights, but the country is still not free and US bombing continues, killing mainly innocent people.
So if that is what "liberation" of a country means, what is in store for the Iraqi people? - Yours, etc.,
GEMMA HENSEY,
The Quay,
Westport,
Co Mayo.
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Madam, - I have a single word for the triumphalist pro-war brigade: "Wait!" - Yours, etc.,
GERRY OMALLEY,
Old Conna Village,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
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Madam, - I read with horror recently about a young Iraqi child asking her parents when her arms, which had been blown off, would grow back.
I thought of the kind of questions I am asked by my daughter about major issues such as bedtimes, ice cream consumption and TV. I thought how dismissive and ungrateful I have been sometimes when replying.
Surely there are question no parent should ever be asked! Tonight in my world, it's questions and answers with gratitude. - Yours, etc.,
HUGO MALONE,
Bree,
Enniscorthy,
Co Wexford.