Once again we see Northern Ireland politics making it into our national news headlines.
On the question of de-commissioning, arms and explosives are held illegally by two terrorist factions - the prime movers (a) and their opponents (b). There may well exist within the (a) Irish nationalists movements of the late 19th/early 20th century.
But what these mis-guided souls should really be asking themselves is whether, right now, a significant majority of the people of the Island of Ireland really have strong feelings about the aim of achieving a united Ireland.
A study of the results of both referendums (North and the Republic) held in 1998 - in particular the low turnout in the South - will show that there does not exist any overwhelming popular support for the cause so dear to the hearts of these separatist terrorists.
What I find surprising is that there has been no mention by political commentators on the fact that in all the debate so far, emphasis has been on the failure of the republicans to decommission.
No allusion at all to any decommissioning by the other thugs - the so-called 'loyalist' faction.
GODFREY WYCISK
Callington.