AS a young RAF Regiment officer serving on an operational squadron, I was alerted in June, 1969, for an 'emergency' move, to support the RUC on the streets of Londonderry.

The OC thought that we would be back in time for the squadron sports, the following week. We came home five months later, much the worse for wear.

Like other servicemen, I was destined to return to Northern Ireland a further five times during my career. My abiding memory is of seeing destruction and feeling the cold, callous tentacles of hatred and enmity resting uneasily beneath famed Irish hospitality, charm and humour. A conundrum if ever there was one.

Whatever the message being given out by our government, clearly terrorism does pay. It will afford privilege in jail, anarchy in prison management and take you to Downing Street. It also undermines military and police endeavour to uphold the law.

How many times, I wonder, will this and every other Secretary of State for Northern Ireland need to be told that there can be no meaningful talks of peace and reconciliation in the province until all the weapons of rancour and reprisal have been accounted for? The reasons have been written in the blood of countless, innocent fatalities.

For Dr Mo Mowlem to continue her failed, fudged policies and give false hopes to both sides, is to once more betray the police, armed forces and every civilian to the threat of a terrorist's bomb or bullet.

PHILIP CONGDON, Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.