Sir, - I was shocked to read recently on the front page of the Sunday Times the headline: "No power sharing before arms hand-over, Ahern tells Sinn Fein". This was followed by an allegation that the Taoiseach had said Sinn Fein should be "barred" from the new Northern Ireland government unless the IRA started to decommission its weapons.
I then read the interview with the Taoiseach by Liam Clarke which was featured in the News Review section. Insofar as it purported to represent the content of the interview it seemed to me that the heading and article on the front page misrepresented what the Taoiseach had said. It is not unusual for journalists these days to insert their own slant in interviews. However one might deplore the practice, is it unreasonable to ask at this fragile stage of the peace process for more fact and less opinion?
There are those among the various strands of unionism so apprehensive of change that they would not be unhappy if the ceasefire was to break down and confrontation with the IRA was reactivated. Any eventuality for them is preferable to the appalling vista of having to sit down with Sinn Fein to discuss a peaceful solution acceptable to both sides. They will grasp at any straw to keep their dream alive: President Clinton may be removed by Congress; Bertie Ahern may lose his majority; "Paddy" Blair may be shafted by the Tories.
These three leaders are the best combination we are ever likely to have to find a solution which will have the support of a majority from both sides. In the tense atmosphere underlying the present situation, "ambiguities" such as those presented by Liam Clarke are unhelpful. - Yours, etc., Ulick O'Connor,
Fairfield Park, Rathgar, Dublin 6.