A chara, - May I express some views on the debate about decommissioning? The republican movement must continue its recent development to its logical conclusion. It has decided to implement its ideals through the political system. Caoimhghin O Caolain has taken his seat in the Dail and Sinn Fein clearly intends that its TDs will play an important part in the formation of the next Irish government.
In other words, it has recognised the legitimacy of the 26-county State as the inheritor of the movement for Irish self-government. The Irish Army is an agency of this State. If the republican movement were to co-operate with the Irish Army in the decommissioning of arms, surely this would involve no implication of surrender. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Alasadair McDonnell, SDLP, Ormeau Road, Belfast 7.