16 MARCH 1991, Page 25

Sir: Noel Malcolm's article on the best method of opposing

IRA terrorism re- quires a postscript. He argued that the IRA could best be defeated by treating Northern Ireland as if it was part of the UK mainland. How many politicians from the UK mainland have been murdered by the IRA? Two: Airey Neave and Ian Gow. What policy did they advocate for North- ern Ireland? The treatment of Northern Ireland as if it was part of the UK mainland.

The IRA themselves have shown us the policy that they fear the most.