THE Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign has answered a letter from the Prince of Wales in which he had referred to the grief suffered by his own family after the murder of Lord Mountbatten.
The Bloody Sunday group said in its response to him that "had an official state inquiry exonerated the killers of your uncle you would surely feel the need to right such an injustice".
Prince Charles had followed up remarks he made in Derry on Thursday by faxing a letter from the royal yacht, Britannia, to Mr John Kelly, chairman of the Justice Campaign.
The letter, signed by Commander Richard Aylard RN, said the prince recognised "the strength of your feelings about the tragic events which took place in 1972, and your right to express them in peaceful protest".
"He would, however, point out that his own close family has suffered grievously as a no less tragic result of the troubles which have afflicted Northern Ireland over such a long period of time. He can identify all too clearly with the suffering of the relatives of all those who have been killed or injured and has every possible sympathy.
"He believes, nevertheless, that dwelling on past tragedies will do nothing to bring the peace and reconciliation which all decent people are seeking.
"He prefers, for his part, to look forward, and hopes that you and those for whom you speak may do the same, or at least recognise his own determination to do so."
In reply, Mr Kelly thanked him for his letter and acknowledged "the personal trauma and loss suffered by you through the death of Lord Mountbatten in 1979".
Mr Kelly's reply continued: "The Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign does not wish to dwell on past tragedies, nor do we bear grudges. We have in fact repeatedly made clear that neither retribution nor revenge.can play any role in our campaign.
"In the spirit of understanding, we would point out that had an official state inquiry exonerated the killers of your uncle you would surely feel the need to right such an injustice. This is the situation that we find ourselves in vis-a-vis the Widgery Tribunal.
"What differentiates Bloody Sunday from all other atrocities is the fact that the blame was effectively shifted on to the victims and the victims' community while the perpetrators escaped all censure. Indeed Lieut Col Derek Wilford of the Parachute Regiment was awarded an OBE.
"It is precisely with a view to discussing these complex and painful issues that we requested a meeting in our fax of June 26th. We would again suggest that such a meeting between a three-person delegation from the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign and yourself would do much to facilitate the process of forgiveness and reconciliation so necessary between the peoples of these islands.
"Such a meeting could take place at a time and place of your convenience."
Relatives of the 14 Bloody Sunday victims, and members of the Campaign, had mounted a peaceful protest in the centre of Derry on Thursday against the prince's visit, pointing out that he is commander-in-chief of the Parachute Regiment which carried out the Bloody Sunday killings.