Northern Ireland Peace Process

* That the British consul general (letter, May 14) dismisses the IRA as a terrorist group not entitled to the label of “army” is not surprising. The very fact that he purports to speak for every resident of Britain and Ireland speaks volumes. Since 1975, the British government has gone to great lengths to paint the republican movement as one of criminal element rather than civil rebellion. And it goes without question that any military action that is not state-sanctioned bears the label of “terrorism.”

There is a glaring lack of reference to the violence undertaken by the British army, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland. Loyalist death squads are murdering Catholics on a regular basis (another death reported May 14). Yet their representatives are still welcome at the peace talks, while Sinn Fein remains excluded.

It is time to admit that all are party to the violence, and it is time for all parties to the violence to be admitted to the talks, without preconditions, so that the peace process may begin.

HEIDI BARRON

Los Angeles