Pick and choose your mandates

Dear Ms Kennedy and Mr Myers,

The metamorphosis of an illegally invading coalition into a 'peace keeping' multinational force is one that exists only in the minds of those such as Kevin Myers, who supports whole heartedly the decisions of the UN that he agrees with.

Can we really accept the Taoiseach's own words, that respect for the UN Security Council is the cornerstone of our foreign policies, if Irish involvement in the invasion and occupation predates the UN mandate and in fact signalled Ireland's support for an illegal invasion. The same mandate that includes enough restrictions to allow permanent 'occupation' by a multinational force. Today we read in The Irish Times that "Iraq's ruling parties yesterday demanded US forces cede control of security," on the other side of the table the coalition of multinational allied forces (or whatever they are calling themselves today) states that there is a good possibility that there will be some troop withdrawal in the next year depending on unspecified security issues.

Undergraduate and irresponsible pose-striking indeed.

Yours sincerely,

An Irishman's Diary
Kevin Myers

"The US military occupation of Iraq legally ceased on June 28th, 2004, and was followed by a UN-authorised military presence in the country.

Last November, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the nearly 180,000-strong multinational force in Iraq for another year."

Full Article... The Irish Times