Sir, - A few days before Christmas I took part, with John Hume, in the Radio 5 Live Magazine programme. Within the cut and thrust of politics, I hardly expected the SDLP leader to concur with my opinion, particularly given his predisposition towards bringing Sinn Fein/IRA into the current talks process before establishing any tangible proof of their sincerity, should they announce another ceasefire. In view of the bogus 1994 ceasefire tactic, this is surely an unreasonable and naive objective.
However, when I reminded him how his preference for an arrangement with Gerry Adams and his total lack of response to Ulster unionist proposals undermined the previous 1992 talks process, I was genuinely astonished that he could publicly suggest that no constructive proposals had been made by my party. I reminded him of three important papers we tabled, dealing with (a) the internal administration of Northern Ireland, (b) an inter Irish relation committee and (c) a Bill of Rights, but that he had refused to respond to any of these. I do not believe that Mr Hume's memory is so faulty that he cannot remember, but he again refuted this and challenged me to publish these papers.
I have absolutely no problem doing so and resent the inference that I am in any way disingenuous. The inter Irish relations paper and, as I recall it, the internal administration paper are already in the public domain. While the Bill of Rights proposals are, perhaps, too voluminous, I will happily make these available to your newspaper.
There is a reciprocal gesture which the SDLP leader should make. Given his newly acquired commitment to openness, he should, simultaneously, publish the so called 1992 Adams Hume paper which we understand was the basis for the IRA's 1294 tactical ceasefire and also his recent letter to Prime Minister John Major, which he tells us contains the IRA's "simple conditions" for a new permanent ceasefire.
Surely John Hume would not wish to conceal from those who are trying to make a success of the current Northern Ireland Political Talks Process those "minor steps" which, he asserts, would bring a permanent, complete and universal end to republican terrorism. - Yours, etc.,
Vice-president UUP,
Brooke Street,
Dungannon, BT7 17AN.