Sir, It is disappointing to see the final victory of sectarianism, repartition, being advocated in this paper's letters page ("Arguing Repartition", August 14th). Ulster was partitioned along sectarian lines in 1920. This is the basis of present day Northern Ireland. If sectarian partition caused the problem, how can repeating the process be seen as a solution?
Northern Ireland is like a piebald pony. It would be impossible to draw a new border which did not leave substantial minorities on either side of it. Nor should we assume that people in areas such gas the Fountain in Derry or the Falls in Belfast would be happy to abandon their areas, their churches, their schools in order, to conform with any sectarian iron curtain. As for "cantonisation" can we take the Canton of the Short Strand" seriously?
Yes, there are two national identities in Northern Ireland, but there exists a possible pluralist resolution the attitudes of parties with paramilitary links PSF, UDP, PUP have moderated significantly of late. A Northern Ireland which was an autonomous but equal part of both the Republic and the United Kingdom could constitute a tolerable compromise if it was guaranteed not to be a "stepping stone" to either the eventual ending of the Union, or the reincorporation of the South into the United Kingdom. Pluralism, not sectarian surgery, is the answer. - Yours, etc., 35 Walnut Grove, Wexford.