Fourthwrite .......................Issue No. 9

Letter

Head of the infidels

Dear Editor

New figures suggest that casualties in the ongoing war in Afghanistan exceed those in America on 11th September. If Mullah Omar could flee on a motorbike and escape U.S. troops and the Northern Alliance, it would appear that Bin Laden might prove equally elusive.

Indeed, it has been admitted that evidence suggesting that Bin Laden was behind the attacks on the Twin Towers etc. is so inconclusive that it would not stand up in a court of law. Yet it was deemed sufficient for the U.S. government to send their army in with B52s and Daisycutters to kill thousands of starving people. Of course the U.S. interest lies in profit and the oil of the Caspian region, with Bin Laden a convenient scapegoat. The tragic situation in Afghanistan, where months of carpet bombing have wiped out innocent life, is made more offensive from an Irish perspective by Bertie Ahern's and Brian Cowan's tolerance of the use of Shannon airport for refuelling planes on this murder mission.

While co-operation like this continues, Ireland's neutrality is compromised. And for a country like ours, which has a history of famine and invasion, to assist the slaughter of the Afghan people is an abomination. Not to mention the cowardly silence of Sinn Fein and the Labour party (with the exception of Michael D. Higgins) who failed to denounce the war.

Recently on his tour of the Middle East, in North Korea, George Bush tactically refrained from further references to 'the axis of evil' and used somewhat calmer language. Then off to China, where thousands of U.S. flags are produced swiftly by underpaid workers.

Ominously the British Navy ship HMS Ocean has already sailed off to an unknown destination to assist in 'phase II' of the war. And both U.S. and British governments have spoken of the significance of winning the propaganda war.

The attacks on the Twin Towers have made any anti-American opinion dangerous. Indeed, the definition of the term 'terrorism' itself appears to have become broader

 In the West Bank, Israel has launched further brutal attacks on Palestinians, supported by the United States. Presumably justified by the Hamas organisation having stated that the way forward is through Jihad. Last year in Gaza and the West Bank, popularity of Al Fatah had been surpassed by the combined strength of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Since Saudi Arabia and Kuwait support Hamas, they become more unpopular with the Western powers. Reports suggest that in Afghanistan SAS forces were involved in the massacre in Mazar-i-Sharif. Many of the dead Taliban prisoners of war allegedly had their hands tied behind their backs. Yet, the British government has ignored demands for an inquiry by Amnesty International. The Anti-terrorism act recently introduced by the Labour government in England means 'immigrant' suspects can be interned without trial and denied virtually any means of appeal.

The dehumanisation of the Al Quaeda prisoners in 'Camp X-Ray' makes their appalling treatment more acceptable in media coverage, therefore easier for political leaders to appear sincere when speaking of the need for justice and 'a world free from evil'.

But regarding 'phase II' of the war, those at risk of attack include Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, The Yemin and Sudan, amongst others. The threat to U.S. security and oil supply is a greater reason for this impending slaughter than Bin Laden or the teachings of Islam.

Yours, Laura Duffy