Let’s stand by our partners

THAT a man who dismissively refers to France and Germany as ‘old Europe’ is in control of the world's most powerful army is a depressing thought.

However, since Donald Rumsfeld's appearance on the world stage, it has been clear that he and his leader have been sleep-walking in some sort of badly scripted Western.

This 'old Europe' he refers to is joined by the world's largest country, Russia, and the world's most populated country, China, in disagreeing with his country's approach to the Middle East. Who do we place greater faith in?

In the Nice Treaty, we threw our lot in with the 'old Europe' that supplied crutches for our ailing economy for the best part of three difficult decades and invited us to vote for a progressive, ethical continent. Our Government begged us to do so. If we are to take sides, in what is clearly becoming a seriously divisive issue, our commitment to, and support of, our insulted European neighbours has got to be upheld. This means a clear-cut abandonment of our current Mickey Mouse approach to Shannon airport. If Nice means anything, it's time for our leaders to prove their worth and declare for 'old Europe' over the 'juvenile 'Mr Rumsfeld and the havoc he wishes to unleash.

Seamus Lynch,

Seaview Park,

Portrane,

Co Dublin.