Sir, - In view of what's going on at the moment in Northern Ireland over the D word, I am sure that Mr Blair et alii must be muttering: "Who will rid us of this turbulent province?"
The situation has become so seriously farcical, like something from Gilbert and Sullivan, it is hard to believe it is for real. What sort of perverse people are those who put in jeopardy all that so many have worked and hoped for over so many years, with the enormous sacrifice paid by so many more in blood and murder and human misery?
Mr Trimble has dug himself into a hole over decommissioning because he feared the reaction of his fellow unionists. Did he have to, or was this a form of bravado? Had he a political death-wish to act in such manner?
According to Webster's Dictionary, to decommission is simply "to remove from service". It is patently obvious that the guns/Semtex/bombs have been effectively removed from service for quite some time, hence decommissioning "in spirit" rather than "in the letter of the law" has already taken place. It is patently obvious too that Sinn Fein passionately wants peace with justice, and two of its members have taken their place with pride in the new assembly. The beleaguered people of Northern Ireland, of all persuasions, yearn for peace and stability after the nightmare they have been through.
But alas, it is also patently obvious that old habits, like old hates, die hard, and that the unionists do not yet trust nationalists/republicans, and resent "former terrorists" sharing power with them.
Is a Solomon now needed to intervene in making sense of this madness, or is divine intervention the only answer? - Yours, etc.,
Vera Hughes, Moate, Co Westmeath.