Sir, - The interview with a spokesperson for the IRA in An Phoblacht was most welcome. It revealed the true motivation behind Sinn Fein/IRA's involvement in the "peace process". It should now be clear even to the most gullible that the "Republican Movement" does not accept the need for unionist consent to a united Ireland.
The fact that the "Republican Movement" should feel free to choose this time to restate its fundamentalist position underlines just how arrogant it has become due to the appeasement of both London and Dublin.
Since the start of the "peace process", the movement has managed to forge in the minds of many people the belief that Sinn Fein and the IRA are separate entities. When members of Sinn Fein are asked about the IRA they respond as if they know little or nothing about that organisation. It is as if they are being asked about the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka.
One would never think that their party conferences have been addressed by IRA men (presumably without their balaclavas) or that Sinn Fein leaders have delivered orations at the graves of IRA members.
With Sinn Fein increasing its vote since the start of the "peace process", and the IRA armed to the teeth, the Provisional movement has never been allowed to operate so successfully its twin-track strategy of gun and ballot box. - Yours, etc.,
Kenilworth Park, Dublin 6W.