Sir, - It was with a sense of great sadness that one heard the news of President Mary Robinson's decision that she would not be seeking a second term. One still hopes she may reverse her decision. If, sadly, she does not, one would hope that there may yet be means found whereby John Hume could be the agreed candidate for the Presidency.
"Even if an IRA ceasefire was still absent, this need not determine or limit the possibilities either way. Perhaps someone could be found to be a candidate to represent the Derry constituency who, while not explicitly an agreed candidate, would nonetheless be someone that Sinn Fein or the SDLP would not oppose and would accept? Or perhaps there may be other mechanisms?
In the regrettable event that such a mechanism could not be found, there are still a number of courageous and inspiring Irish people who have striven to represent inclusiveness, plurality and compassion that need not restrict the choice of the people's President to ex politicians. There is Dr John Robb, Chair of the New Ireland group in the North. There is Briege Geraghty of the SDLP.
There are the magnificent women who have worked so tirelessly for and with the forgotten victims of the Chernobyl disaster. Having experienced the Presidency of Mary Robinson, surely the Irish people cannot accept that their President should exclusively be determined by the political parties of the South. - Yours, etc.,
(Formerly secretary of the Campaign for the Birmingham
Six (England),
Montague Road,
Birmingham, B21 9DF.