Right road for Ulster
Sir: What strange statements are we to hear next about Northern Ireland? Co'nor Cruise O'Brien (1 October) appears to regard Unionists as both invulnerable and sacrosanct. Are bullies to be untouchable within a democracy because they are sanctimonious? If a faction rejects the idea that fellow citizens should have a real voice in the affairs of their province, it is a sad thing indeed, if they cannot in some way be shoved, cajoled, bribed or otherwise pressurised into accepting what they reject'.
The Northern Protestants have much to contribute if they can learn to show respect for the aspirations of others who differ from them and work together with Catholics, in their own Province and in the Republic, along the various practical lines which all sensible people realise are necessary for the inhabitants of one small island. In other words power-sharing and an acceptance of an Irish dimension in some fashion are essential if a common bond is to be built up and the IRA, with other men of violence, put out of business. With prompt action, the 1974 strike against the power-sharing executive could and should have been put down and many lives would have been saved.
It is generally accepted that the link with Britain must remain while the majority demands it. But have those who demand it any right to remain in Ireland while they resolutely refuse civilised attitudes towards their neighbours? Those who hold the old 'No Surrender' nonsense would do far better to join the Scottish oil rush or emigrate to Canada, where at least they would provide no provocation to violence. In genuine politics, as opposed to tribalism, it is often necessary to work side by side with those whose long-term aims appear unacceptable. We in this country have politicians in office whose loyalty seems to be towards an Eastern European-type socialism and can envisage circumstances when a coalition government could contain Scots Nationalists demanding a complete break with our present constitution: Patience with Orange obstinacy, then, is difficult. The more so as WC now hear the same intransigent protestations from the South African government, refusing to admit any responsibility for violence in that state and meeting world pressure with the same kind of renewed self-righteous bigotry.
Such situations have been met before. Let us hope we do not need a de Gaulle to deal with the Northern Protestant population as he did with settler families, some of them established in Algeria longer than most Ulster planters. If a police force more trusted to uphold law and order impartially than the present RUC seems to be is provided, and substantial political standing for all legitimate groups, a good life for all in Northern Ireland should be within reach, But do Dr O'Brien's views help to forward this aim?
Desiree Hirst Department of English, University College of Swansea
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