To: Brian Cowen, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iveagh House, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

By Noel Whelan

It is a desire to register my voices against those who argue for such a policy that has prompted me to write this open letter to you.

Firstly let me tell you where I'm coming from. I'm not a peacenik. I didn't march on Saturday, although I'd have sympathy with some of those who did.

I think that military force, despite all its horrors, is sometimes necessary to avoid greater evils.

In fact I think the day may come when Saddam Hussein will again have to be restrained by military force. I hope it's not soon and that it's as a last resort but, if supported by the United Nations, I'm prepared to accept military intervention as a necessary evil.

However, I am worried about the challenge posed for Irish foreign policy if the United States decides to go to war without a second United Nations resolution. I think that supporting the United States in such a scenario would be wrong.

Here are some of the reasons why I hold that view.

Firstly strong support for the United Nations has been a pillar of Irish foreign policy for more than half a century.

Opposing a United States decision to 'go-it-alone' would be consistent with this foreign policy.

Since we joined the organisation Ireland has consistently, vocally and strongly supported the collective security framework which the UN provides.

One nation, or one group of nations, seeking militarily to impose their own view against that of the United Nations is wrong even when that one nation is our friend, the United States.

Ireland's contribution to UN peacekeeping has been substantial. We have used our political voice through the United Nations on development and human rights issues to good effect.

Our standing in the United Nations has allowed us to punch an influence on the world stage above our weight.

Our contribution to the United Nations was recognised by our strong showing in the election to the Security Council two and a half years ago. Last month saw an Irishwoman top the poll in the UN election to the International Criminal Court.

If Ireland sides with the United States against the United Nations then decades of Irish foreign policy would be turned on its head and you might as well tear up all the precedent books in Iveagh House.

Secondly backing the United States in a 'go-it-alone' strategy would make our world unstable.

It would be an encouragement to those policymakers in the United States who think that they can take it upon themselves to embark on 'preventive' action against any state which they regard as a threat to international security. Supporting them in attacking Iraq would encourage international instability.

This is merely the first in a series of occasions when their perception of international security will diff The United States is now a hyperpower. This could be a force for good in our world, not least because they share our western democratic ideology.

However, there is an element in the American political elite, supported now by a temporary majority of a traumatised electorate, which feels that the United States isn't beholden to any international accountability or sanction.

At this time the restraining influence of international legitimacy is more important than ever.

Also the world community can't leave it to the US Republican party alone to decide the priorities and methods by which world problems can be resolved.

The setting of priorities for international collective action is best left to the United Nations. Your junior minister, Tom Kitt, has made the point well that, morally, the billions of dollars currently being utilised to build up forces in the Middle East could be deployed instead in sub Saharan Africa where a fraction of those resources would help alleviate the twin scourges of AIDS and poverty.

Thirdly a strategy which is strongly pro-UN and opposes the United States 'going-it-alone' would create a large consensus in Ireland.

While domestic political opinion cannot alone determine foreign policy in a representative democracy, governments must have regard to it.

This is especially the case for a government like yours whose political stock is low. A clear statement that our policy will not stretch to supporting Bush if he decides on Finally, opposing a United States 'go-it- alone' strategy would not give rise to the economic consequences that some of the scaremongers have been touting.

To pull back from being critical of the US because of some perceived economic cost would be demeaning and dishonourable. Some commentators have been absurd on this point.

Yes, American foreign investment is important to our economy, but no evidence has been adduced that this would be in danger. Senator Shane Ross advanced this absurd argument in his Sunday Independent column two weeks ago saying that in opposing US foreign policy, "we may reverse the boom." I, for one, am happy to let IDA Ireland's spokespersons have the final say on this. They have been quoted repeatedly in recent days to the effect that Ireland's foreign policy will not alter foreign investment flows one iota; it is our tax regime and the education level of our workforce and other commercial factors which will count.

It also insults the intelligence of the Irish electorate to suggest that opposing the US on this issue will hurt our exports there. Are we really asked to believe that those who purchase Irish-made software (or Viagra for that matter) are going to change their purchasing habits because you speak out against America attacking Iraq without UN approval?

It seems to me that it is the large numbers of Irish-Americans in the US electorate, rather than the stance of the Irish government, which will shape the attitude of the current or any future Washington administration towards Ireland and towards the Northern Ireland peace process.

On this point I find myself agreeing with Garret Fitzgerald and David Andrews, both of whom once sat at the desk where you now sit.

Having weighted our foreign policy ideals against our economic ties with the United States they have both come down, on balance, in favour of opposing the United States going it alone.

A clash between the United States and the United Nations Security Council may not come, but if it does I hope you and the Government will be strong in your support of the United Nations and vocal in your opposition to the Bush administration. It may not be an uncomfortable position to be in, but in my view it is the right one.

Yours sincerely,

Noel Whelan.