Letter: Trimble is right
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Letter:
Trimble is right
Sir: Ken Livingstone ("Can Trimble find the courage to take a big risk for peace?" 23 June) seems to endorse the idea that arms decommissioning would start very rapidly once the Northern Ireland Executive was functioning.
However, the IRA has said three times since the Good Friday agreement that it will not decommission. The only sign of a softening of this position was in a report last month that the Provisional leadership would "consider some form of decommissioning gesture" after Sinn Fein got its seats in government. Neither Unionists nor democrats generally can be expected to be satisfied with that.
David Trimble's request for a serious beginning to the process of decommissioning is reasonable. The only possible room for further compromise is that decommissioning and Sinn Fein's participation in the Executive should start simultaneously.
STEPHEN PLOWDEN
London NW1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments