Sir, - I am at a loss as to how Deaglan de Breadun (February 15th) finds the transcript of my full interview with Bertie Ahern "reads somewhat more ambiguously" than the report and interview printed in the Sunday Times website (http:www.sundaytimes.co.uk).
Mr Ahern's comments were, in fact, crystal clear. He told me, in answer to the very first question, "it is not compatible with being a part of a government, I mean part of an executive, that there is not at least a commencement of decommissioning, and that would apply north, it would apply in the south."
This statement is as plain as a pikestaff. Only one interpretation is possible and that is that Sinn Fein should not be admitted to an executive until a start had been made on decommissioning. The rest is detail, not ambiguity.
In a latter question, I say: "To be absolutely clear when you say decommissioning, you mean a start to the destruction of weapons and a commitment to continue. That needs to be made before you can get an executive going", and Mr Ahern replied: "Yeah. People say, `does that mean physical, does that mean semtex, does that mean guns?' It means that the principle has to be accepted and that then, whatever modalities are worked by de Chastelain, because that is their expertise, to work out how it actually happens, and that is what we mean."
Deaglun wonders whether the Taoiseach's "Yeah" is "just clearing his throat or being polite". This is an insulting suggestion, both to myself and the Taoiseach, but having heard the Taoiseach speak and listened to him on the tape, there is no doubt in my mind that he is answering in the affirmative. The obvious meaning of the later part of the answer is that practical details of how it happens will be worked out by General de Chastelain. - Yours, etc.,
Liam Clarke (Deputy Irish Editor) The Sunday Times Belfast Office
72 High Street, Belfast BT1 2BE