TACTICS

Sir, - With the loyalists statement of preparedness for a return to war in Northern Ireland, these islands, not just Northern Ireland, stand on the brink of the abyss of all out war. In these circumstances the two governments making an alteration in Senator Mitchell's role as chairman of the Stormont talks, to reward David Trimble for condescending to accept Senator Mitchell as chairman, would give the IRA the justification they need, and would be the worst possible thing the two governments could do. It would be a mistake even greater than John Major's Commons response to Senator Mitchell's report. - Yours, etc.,

Formerly secretary of the

Campaign for the Birmingham

Six (England),

27 Montague Road,

Birmingham, B21 9DF.