Sir, - One of the main problems facing the peace process is the difficult question of arms decommissioning. Both in Great Britain, and especially in Ireland, considerable paramilitary arms dumps are hidden. Besides, criminal elements have easy access to guns.
Both governments should immediately and jointly announce - an arms amnesty to last until the end of May. Any arms or explosives discovered after that date should involve a mandatory 10 years jail sentence and the seizure of assets. All arms licences should be renewed in the UK and in the Republic in June 1996, based on the reasons for holding firearms and the suitability of the applicant to use guns. Certain classes of guns should not be licensed.
Effective surveillance of possible arms dumps should be made by "spy" planes. Civilian police should be put in place by June, 1996, in both jurisdictions and Great Britain should set a time scale for lessening its subsidy to Northern Ireland. The early release of paramilitaries, where possible, should be immediately announced. - Yours, etc.,
Seapoint Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.