Sir, - Once again Ulster unionism has brought disgrace on itself by its behaviour following the election of Mr David Trimble and Mr Mark Durkan as First and Deputy First Ministers respectively. Coupled with the on-going shameful scenes at Holy Cross School in Ardoyne, these unionist and loyalist rejectionists are a blight on civilised, democratic society. Such behaviour renders those responsible politically impotent. One can understand to some degree why unionism has difficulty accepting power-sharing and cross-border bodies, as they have never had to compete with or be answerable to any body or group which had nationalist involvement. Unionists see their privileged position under threat from a nationalist community unwilling to bend the knee to their religious and political "betters".
Once again, self-indulgent unionism still refuses to accept its nationalist neighbours as equal citizens despite the commencement of decommissioning, changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, and unity by consent. Surely a most perverse method of conducting a political process. Even as the world teeters on the brink of Armageddon following the September 11th attacks in the US, most unionists still say no. - Yours, etc.,
Tom Cooper, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.