Joining Nato to please unionists

Sir, – Newton Emerson is guilty of the sectarian stereotyping he decries in others ("Joining Nato would send powerful message to unionists", Opinion & Analysis, April 4th). Protestant equals unionist equals uncritical support for Nato. Really?

Are there no Northern Protestants who value their place in the Irish nation, no unionists who are atheists or pacifists?

Having dismissed Ireland’s anti-colonial credentials, he says he wouldn’t want to live in a country which if invaded could do nothing but complain about it for 800 years.

I don’t think he need worry on that score. I’m sure the occupying forces would soon assimilate him through military service.

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The raising of a local militia is after all a long-standing counter-insurgency tactic employed by colonising powers. – Yours, etc,

PAUL LAUGHLIN,

Culmore,

Derry.