Sir - If the poppy were to be accepted Europe-wide as an emblem of reconciliation in memory of the dead of all European wars of this turbulent century, then it would be appropriate for our President to wear it. The wars I refer to include the first and second World Wars, the wars of intervention following the Bolshevik revolution, the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Civil War, the Spanish Civil War and now the wars of the break-up of Yugoslavia. I look forward to the time when it will be politically acceptable to display an appropriate emblem covering reconciliation on this scale. - Yours, etc.,
From Roy Johnston
Rathmines, Dublin 6.