Madam, - Colm O'Sullivan (March 16th) argues that recognition of the state of Israel's right to exist should not be a pre-requisite for participation in talks to resolve the Middle East conflict.
Is he seriously suggesting that an agreement can be achieved without the Palestinians, at some point, accepting the right of Israel to exist in peace?
If not, why can't the Palestinians just accept that fact now and then, once that's out of the way, get down to the more serious business of defining borders and implementing a plan for a sustainable Palestinian state?
Is it really too much to expect Palestinian leaders to show some maturity and to stop wasting everyone's time by pretending Israel does not exist? - Yours, etc,
DESMOND FITZGERALD, Canary Wharf, London E14.