A Chara - It was with some astonishment that I listened to Mary Harney on Morning Ireland (June 18th) when she recommended breaking off all contact with Sinn Fein as "cajoling and pandering had not worked" and "these people need to be taught a lesson".
Ms Harney seemed more than content to go down a road which could lead to another 25 years of war rather than pursuing the difficult task of all inclusive negotiations. As a politician in this country, she has a responsibility to work towards building peace on this island, it is not enough for her to engage in rhetorical cant. The people of this country want a peace that will last and want politicians such as Mary Harney to play their part.
Twenty five long years must tell us that exclusion did not work in the past and will not work now. Even a scant glance at the experience of other countries such as South Africa and Palestine show us that despite all of the difficulties that they faced, before and during negotiations, they persevered with inclusive talks as they knew that these held the only possibility of success,
Ms Harney should ask herself what role she wants to play in the pursuit of peace? - Yours, etc.,
Fitzroy Avenue,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 3.