To: The Rt Hon Clare Short MP (Secretary of State for International Development) <enquiry@dfid.gov.uk>

CC: UK Department of Social Security Minister (Mr. Andrew Smith) <andrewsmith.mp@virgin.net>, Mr David Lowe <dlowe@europarl.eu.int>,
French Prime Minister (Jean-Pierre Raffarin) <premier-ministre@cab.pm.gouv.fr>,
UK MP Mr Paul Marsden <marsdenp@parliament.uk>, EU Chairman of Committee on Petitions (Mr Gemelli) <eboaretto@europarl.eu.int>, Republic of Ireland Director of Public Prosecutions (Mr James Hamilton) <dppwebmaster@indigo.ie>, Republic of Ireland Justice Minister (Mr Michael  McDowell) <pagemaster@justice.irlgov.ie>, President George W. Bush <president@whitehouse.gov>, Vice President Richard Cheney <vice.president@whitehouse.gov>

Subject: 10 minutes to midnight

Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 11:21:07 +0000

Dear Ms Short,

Like many others (possibly millions I suspect all around the world),  I felt both relieved and delighted by the timely way you recently spoke out regarding the "deeply reckless" way in which some senior UK and US politicians appear so OVER KEEN to rush into an all-out major war which could possibly be avoided.

Long may you remain in a position to behave in what I see as such a highly responsible way.

To your critics I would ask: "What would be the point of Ms Short (or any other senior politician) speaking out at 10 minutes PAST midnight?".

Finally, I would like to express the view that you are probably being a much better friend to Prime Minister Blair than ANY of those who are at present blindly supporting him: regarding what appears (to me) to be some kind of personal delusion he is unable to control (by himself).

Sincerely,

Mr William Finnerty.

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Web Site 1:  http://www.finnachta.com/
Web Site 2:  http://homepage.eircom.net/~williamfinnerty/
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