The other Carrington
Sir: The anonymous writer of the profile on Lord Carrington (The charming chairman', 28 September) reveals himself as somewhat small-minded and humourless. The end result is that he totally understates the con- tribution of Lord Carrington to his country.
Lord Carrington would be the first to accept that he has been fortunate to have been able to serve in a wide range of important posts in nearly 40 years of public service. But, unlike the armchair critics, he both sought and shouldered major respon- sibilities taking success and failure in his stride.
He is criticised for Crichel Down (where he accepted his share of responsibility but Churchill asked him to remain at his post), the Vassal case (where the Radcliffe Inquiry did not find the Government guilty of culpable negligence), his advice to Mr Heath to hold an early 1974 Election (which almost everyone else gave too), and the Falklands War (where he resigned hon- ourably though the subsequent Franks Inquiry did not pin the blame on him for not being able to prevent the Argentine invasion).
It is stunning to write a profile with these criticisms without even recognising his remarkable achievements. His most notable ones were, of course, his unique and robust contribution to the defence of Britain and the Western world as Defence Secretary and later Secretary general of Nato and his statesmanlike leadership in bringing to an end the futile conflict in Rhodesia, leading Zimbabwe to independence and terminat- ing the British Government's responsibili- ties honourably.
Thank goodness his wide experiences are now available in the thankless task of help- ing the Yugoslav republics to end their civil war.
Lord Carrington is a leader with a great sense of humility and humour, a quick brain which cuts through to the essential issues, a good delegator but with his finger always on the pulse and a healthy scepti- cism about the powerful in public life. I do know because I have served under him.
Richard Luce
House of Commons, London SW1
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