Sir, - Some of the letters about Ruth Dudley Edwards's article about building bridges seem to be only muddying the waters.
I am the original head-hunter from deepest, dark Tyrone who invited Ruth to a parade. I did so because I liked her political articles. She was never afraid to examine her own tribe (to use her term) critically. She seemed to stand outside looking in and to take account of the viewpoints of others. I thought, therefore, that she should get to know my tribe better. She has come to know us well and is as critical of our faults as she is sympathetic to our virtues.
Your correspondent F. Fox of Dallas (November 3rd) said that one has to understand before one can be understood. He might remember that grievance and hurt now run equally deep in both communities here. A generation has passed since unionists were responsible for decisions made or taken in Northern Ireland. In that same generation, one west Tyrone graveyard has received 27 Protestant victims of republican atrocities committed in the name of Irish nationalism. Drumcree and other such events are the end result of the bitterness and frustration that has built up among Protestants.
The Republic should accept that by electing the greenest of the five presidential candidates it showed it did not really care about the views of unionists. Honesty and self-examination are vital if we are not to continue being bathed in green and orange tears. - Yours, etc.,
H. Robertson,
Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone.