Letter: Pinochet parallels

Sir: I note that the Conservative front bench and Lady Thatcher have now thrown their weight behind the argument that democracy and stability is worth the price of giving in to the perpetual blackmail of armed men and their minority supporters and that it is right to forgive all their past crimes and evils.

I assume that they will now apply the same logic to the Northern Ireland peace process and oppose Unionists in their attempts to exclude Sinn Fein from the executive until the IRA decommissions its arms.

While they are at it, perhaps Mr Hague may care to announce his support for Colonel Gadaffi and Saddam Hussein in recognition of their contribution to the stability of their nations?

DAN WILLIAMS

Southend-on-Sea, Essex