Sir, - Once more Sinn Fein are ostracised for failing to condemn a murder associated with the IRA. Journalists press for straight answers and politicians are continually expressing disgust at this refusal to condemn. Their positions are understandable, but are they helpful to the peace process?
Sinn Fein leaders say they are not involved in the politics of condemnation. It appears they are avoiding the question. Why would they avoid such questions? Could it be that any answer to such a question would be unhelpful? To say they do not condemn will earn them our disgust, but yet to say they do condemn will further weaken the apparently tenuous links which exist between them and some factions of the IRA. Demand for answers to such questions may satisfy our senses of humanity but will certainly further endanger the peace process through the fragmentation of nationalist groups. Sinn Fein's attempts to bring all Provisionals through this process as a single unit is made almost impossible because of our righteous demands.
So why not simply project the consequences of pushing Sinn Fein for such answers? Why not accept that our condemnation may be useful, but Sinn Fein condemnation can only set us back further? Why not simply use our heads a little more? - Yours, etc.,
Forth Mountain,
Wexford.