30 JANUARY 1993, Page 27

Sir: Jack Holland says that, since the end of the

Cold War, preserving the special rela- tionship with Britain is less important to the Americans. Isn't it also less important to us? What terrible consequences would

we risk by telling Washington to mind its own business in Northern Ireland? Or am I wrong to assume that we have been toady- ing to the Americans for most of this centu- ry because our interests required it, and not because we are just natural-born toadies?

D. Watkins

79 Pendyrys House, Mortimer Road, Cardiff