Madam, - To say that unionists must feel a sense of abandoned vulnerability in the search for a solution to the Northern situation would be an understatement. It must be very frustrating for them to have to fall back once more on the "Us" and "Them" mentality, to beat their chests in the traditional manner.
There are too many today preaching that particular approach. But there is is, nevertheless, a growing impatience among Northern unionists with those who are content with a negative defence of the status quo. They are not satisfied with politicians who will not converse or share a platform with those who differ from their political persuasion.
The Ulster Unionist Council will be asked to re-endorse the only available political mechanism, and a leader capable of making it work. There is no political alternative, other than a return to the antagonisms and sterility of the past. Council members should look coldly at the tactics that have been employed by Mr Trimble's most vociferous enemies, within and outside the party.
Mr Trimble is an increasingly skilful politician who has learned to shape the political agenda, rather than engage in knee-jerk reaction. He recognises that old certainties cannot exist when a society is in flux, no matter that some elements of a divided community might prefer such a situation. That is the core message of the Belfast Agreement, signed by two governments and the pro-Agreement political parties.
Finally, it is surely time that unionists had a cold hard look at their political traditions, re-examined them to see where they have led them wrong in the past, because there has been too great a tendency to blame someone else for their mistakes and for the faults of their history.
In reality the blame has largely rested with themselves, with their lack of foresight and above all with their lack of moral courage. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL J. STOKES, Willington Green Templeogue, Dublin 6.