Sir, - In the late 1940s, a certain Whittaker Chambers revealed his past career as a member of the Communist Party of America and accused a government official, Alger Hiss, of being an agent of the USSR. Interested parties, such as Richard Nixon and the late Senator Joe McCarthy, rallied to him, and many continued to defend him for decades against the protests of, amongst others, Conor Cruise O'Brien. Today, after five years in which former Soviet files have been accessible, no one has found evidence in them to support Chamber's accusations.
This cautionary tale should be remembered in considering others, like Sean O'Callaghan, who claim to bear witness against old comrades. Although Eoghan Harris and Robert Barry (December 24th) seek to give him credibility, there is real doubt about evidence on current political strategy given by one who had no contact with Republicans for four years before the ceasefire that he claims to be a successful ploy on their part.
Of course, Messrs Callaghan, Harris and Barry do not counterpose to the ceasefire any escalation of violence, just its continuation at the present level until the Republican movement learns its lesson and accepts any British terms for entering talks. Of course this will be a de facto surrender such as will weaken both the northern nationalist community and the pressure on the British and Irish governments to listen to them. The Pan Unionist Alliance will be able to impose a settlement along the lines of the status quo ante 1969. Criticism of the Provo strategy as anti democratic should be balanced, at least, by recognition of the same fault in unionist aims. These who refuse to do this are not only excessively biased but provide, in this obvious bias, an excuse for armed struggle to continue. - Yours, etc.,
38 Clanawaley Road,
Dublin 5.