Sir, - If the decommissioning of IRA weapons was an imperative for Sinn Fein's participation in the governance of Northern Ireland, why didn't the Belfast Agreement state that in unambiguous language?
It would seem that, in order to get the peace process up and running, it was necessary to present Sinn Fein as a democratic party, and not the Siamese twin of the IRA. To promote this falsehood the agreement required Sinn Fein merely to use its influence to try to secure the decommissioning of IRA weapons. How, it may be asked, can one prove whether or not Sinn Fein has used its influence to secure the decommissioning of IRA weapons?
To adopt such a strategy of appeasement of an illegal army and its political face was an assault on the democratic fabric of this island, and could only end in tears. At present Sinn Fein believes that its democratic mandate to play its part in shaping the future of this island is about to be denied. Such a development will only confirm Republicans in their belief that they are MOPES (the Most Oppressed People Ever), with all the usual consequences.
Since the inception of the "agreement", unionists and nationalists, never mind republicans, have disagreed on many of its important elements.
At this stage the process has developed the appearance of a creation by Lewis Carroll, but unfortunately without the humour. - Yours, etc.,
Tony Moriarty, Shanid Road, Kenilworth Park, Dublin 6W.