Troubles facing Trimble
From Mr Trevor Ringland
Sir: When Simon Heffer ('Trimble must fight', 13 July) talks of a crisis for Unionism, he fails to recognise that it is in fact a crisis for the whole political process on this island.
David Trimble has delivered on his side of the Good Friday Agreement. He, together with other moderate Unionists, has persuaded and cajoled the vast majority of Unionists, including most of the DUP, to accept all aspects of the Agreement including Sinn Fein ministers serving in the executive. No one should fail to recognise David Trimble's achievement.
This political/peace process can work. it requires careful handling now, but democrats should make no mistake about whom they support. Unionism is actually trying to ensure that the Republican movement remains inside the democratic process.
However, moderate Unionism is not going to sacrifice itself because of a failure of fellow democrats to give it support over the application of basic democratic principles, or the failure of the Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries to fulfil their side of the bargain.
History will eventually recognise the stabilising effect that moderate Unionism played throughout the Troubles. Moderate Unionists intend to remain in existence to ensure that a peaceful, economically prosperous and politically stable Northern Ireland is eventually achieved for the benefit of all its people.
Trevor Ring/and
Belfast
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