Sir, - Sinn Fein frequently reminds us of its respect for the national flag. One of the three bands that make up that flag is of orange colour supposed to represent the Protestant Irish. The main objective of Sinn Fein is the unification of our country.
Would it not be sensible for Sinn Fein, instead of feuding with he SDLP during election campaigns, to put up their candidates in the strongly held Unionist constituencies? There they could begin the process of trying to unify Ireland by winning that part of the population that opposes Irish unity to change its mind on hearing rationally proclaimed reasons why they and their Catholic fellow citizens would be better off in a United Ireland.
This would need much courage and patience, and careful formulation of a genuinely practical policy for running the country once a majority of Protestants was won to the cause of unity. Difficult though it would be to act so, Sinn Fein surely sees by now that armed struggle and sectarianism have totally failed to unify Ireland. Why not try putting into practice the green orange symbolism dear to them? In fewer years than the futile armed struggle has been spreading misery in vain, if its members were seen to be genuine, Sinn Fein would surely be closer to securing the unification of the Irish - is not this what it wants? - than today seems possible. - Yours, etc.,
Grosvenor Terrace,
Dalkey.