Sir, - As I write, Sinn Fein has not endorsed the Agreement of April 10th and thereby acknowledged the need for unionist consent to any change in Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the United Kingdom.
Even with Sinn Fein endorsement, most unionists would be concerned that the agreement, once in place, could be driven forward in the direction of Sinn Fein's agenda by the engine of republican violence or threats of violence.
As we approach the referendum in Northern Ireland, a valuable measure to build confidence within the unionist community would be for both governments to declare the following policy: "If the Agreement is ratified, any attempt by paramilitaries to continue their violence will result in the introduction of interment North and South."
If the Provisional movement is truly committed to non-violence in pursuance of a united Ireland, Sinn Fein should have little difficulty with London and Dublin adopting such a policy as none of its members would be involved in violent activity.
If, however, the two governments do not declare such a policy, there is a possibility that the agreement might be passed in Northern Ireland without the support of a majority of unionists. If this were to happen the two communities in Northern Ireland would be more dangerously polarised than before the agreement, hardly a recipe for stability. - Yours, etc.,
Tony Moriarty
Shanid Road, Kenilworth Park, Dublin 6W.