Sir, There have been some rumblings recently of criticism directed towards the American ambassador, Jean Kennedy Smith not all of them politically unmotivated and scarcely one without some easily guessed at hidden agendum. So please allow me to speak for the silent majority of Irish people in expressing support and praise for the Ambassador.
Without any question, she has proved to be one of the finest, if not the finest of US Ambassadors to Ireland. Her interest in charitable causes, and particular in the plight of the handicapped, has touched us by its genuineness and by the wholesome contrast it affords to the photo opportunising across the water (in Great Britain). Like all the Kennedys, she respects and values her Irish heritage", some times to a degree that puts us to shame. Her support of cultural events has been energetic and quite uncommon and she has travelled the length of the land to show it.
However, it is her work for the cause of peace in Northern Ireland which puts all of us in her debt and guarantees her a place in history, despite the carping of those who, it might appear, would prefer the status quo. One of those involved in the negotiations, whom I happened to meet recently, described her as "our greatest hope". Surely too, she must be given some credit for directing President Clinton to take more interest in the process. Yours, etc., Sea Road, Newcastle, Co Wicklow.