Letter: Success for Northern Ireland talks
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.Sir: David McKittrick ("Virtual Talks on Northern Ireland", 4 December) refers to a small subscription on-line forum on CompuServe, in which I moderate a discussion on Northern Ireland. The piece states that members of this Forum "will this weekend discuss ways of keeping a republican sympathiser out of their proceedings".
There has been no suggestion of keeping any member out of our discussions because of their political views, and I could not remain part of any forum were such a policy to be adopted.
This on-line forum, in which members participate in their spare time, is one of the more rewarding things I have done. It has brought together a large group of people, of every shade of opinion, and from all parts of the world, to debate Irish issues. I was elected moderator by the membership and try to do so with independence. I have seen positions modified, opposing views understood, and lasting friendships develop across the traditional "divide".
Our meeting on Sunday really stems from the forum's success. Members have expressed a desire to make further progress (where have I heard that before?), and I have asked them whether they want to adopt a basic platform on which future discussions might be based. I have had suggestions about different ways of doing this, and have presented them to the participants as options. One of those options is to adopt, as a starting point for our discussions, the Mitchell six principles.
I suppose the worst thing about David McKittrick's piece is that it has made me empathise with the politicians locked up inside Stormont who are engaged in the real talks. I don't suppose it will last long though.
VINCENT HANNA
London EC1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments