Sir, I am an Austrian political science student, specialising in conflict resolution. Having had the misfortune to witness recent events around the loyalist "marching season" in Ireland, I now realise the extent to which British propaganda has been effective regarding Irish issues. The British Establishment press had for years portrayed police in the North of Ireland as finding themselves caught in the middle of two "Irish factions" thus depicting them as some kind of impartial force keeping the peace between extremes.
There is only one "extreme in the North of Ireland, and that, is the extreme right wing, sectarian fascism which is the very essence of loyalism. For example, General Law No. 4 of the Orange Loyal Institution of Ireland states "Any member dishonouring the institution by marrying a Roman Catholic shall be expelled and it shall be deemed an offence for any member to facilitate in any way Sunday sports, amusements or dances by Roman Catholics."
This contrasts dramatically with republicanism as advocated by Sinn Fein, the essence of which is that supreme power be held by all the people or their elected representatives a society with equality between its peoples. Thus while republicanism and loyalism are mutually incompatible, they cannot be simultaneously depicted as extremes. The former is reasonable, tolerant and progressive while the latter advocates a long out dated elitism, with tastes of fascism.
I should also point out that of the 6,002 plastic bullets fired by the Royal Ulster Constabulary between July 7th and 14th, only 339 were fired on the first three days when unionists were responsible for most of the violence. The vast majority (94 per cent) of rounds fired were at republicans protesting against sectarian Orange marches. In my opinion there is no chance for resolution to the conflict while the police force remains a tool for its assertion of unionist supremacy.
Yours, etc., Richard Wagner Gasse, A 8010 Graz, Austria.