Sir, - For at least the past five years I have been expecting John Hume to win the Nobel Peace Prize. My satisfaction that justice has finally been done, however, was dissipated on hearing that he is to share the award with David Trimble.
For most of his life John Hume has dedicated himself to the cause of equality, understanding, reconciliation and peace in Northern Ireland. He has suffered abuse from all quarters north and south of the border and across the Irish Sea. By sticking to his guns throughout, he has shown himself a man of integrity; in his willingness to negotiate with all parties, he has displayed the qualities of a true politician. He is respected for his culture and intellect in Europe and the US. He is, in my humble opinion, the greatest Irish statesman of the latter half of the 20th century.
David Trimble, on the other hand, is a man whose sectarian activities and views have been well documented. It is painfully obvious that he did an expedient volte-face as a result of pressure from the new Labour government in Britain in order to hold on to his position of power. The reservations with which he has accepted the honour bestowed on him are nothing less than a slap in the face to those who considered him worthy of it.
The awarders of the peace prize apparently thought it injudicious to single out John Hume. If their desire was to recognise the peacemakers, why did they not include George Mitchell, Mo Mowlam, Tony Blair, Gerry Adams and Bertie Ahern, not to mention Gary McMichael, David Irvine and - dare I add? - Bill Clinton.
Does anybody else share my disgruntlement or am I just a begrudger? - Yours, etc., Jennifer Sweeney,
Harbour View, Howth, Co Dublin.