Sir, - One can't help noticing two striking similarities in the letters from Sinn Fein members published on February 8th and 9th. Firstly, both start by blaming the media for the current problems in the peace process. I don't remember the media being given seats at the negotiation table. The media merely report a version of the facts and offer some opinion. The media are not responsible for the peace process or any part thereof. That is the domain of Sinn Fein itself and the other parties involved.
Secondly, neither letter offers, nor claims to have, any solution to the current impasse. Instead we get the usual rhetoric of blaming others, innocence on the part of republicans, and referring back to 1922 - which is nearly 80 years ago and has no bearing on today's problems.
We are told that "the republican movement is not the monster. . .injustice - the true monster - is still on the streets of our island." In view of the murders of off-duty police-officers and civilians, that is sickening. The subsequent early release of perpetrators of such deeds shows trust, but has a similar level of trust been shown in return?
One of the authors projects that "the gun will disappear from Irish politics by natural succession - an occurrence we all want to happen." Not I! I want to see guns disappearing through a conscious decision by those who hold them. Otherwise we are all just wasting our time. According to a section of the Belfast Agreement quoted in one of the letters: "All participants accordingly reaffirm their commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations. They also confirm their intention. . . to use any influence they may have to achieve the decommissioning of all paramilitary arms within two years following endorsement in referendums North and South." I may be wrong, but that seems to mean that June of this year is the target date - and given the rate at which things seem to be moving at the moment, and the attitudes of those involved, I really cannot see how this can be met.
No surrender means no end to it for all of us. - Yours, etc.,
Kieran Donnelly, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin 1.