The Nobel Peace Prize

Sir, - Ms Jennifer Sweeney (October 21st) informed your readers that her satisfaction upon learning that John Hume had been awarded…

Sir, - Ms Jennifer Sweeney (October 21st) informed your readers that her satisfaction upon learning that John Hume had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was dissipated when she also learned that David Trimble was to share it.

An excellent assessment of the award was set out by Mary Holland in her column the next day: the Nobel Prize, Mary wrote, was an endorsement of the courage shown by all those people who voted for the Belfast Agreement, and it was particularly important that the bravery of those in the broad unionist community who voted for change should be given international recognition.

Ms Sweeney wonders if she is just a begrudger. I would refer her to the serenity prayer: "Lord, give me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change; the courage to change the things that I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." Many in the North, of differing political philosophies, who have known politically-inspired terror, and who brought themselves, nonetheless, to vote for the Agreement, found comfort and guidance in this prayer. - Yours, etc., Sam McAughtry,

Comber, Co Down.