When David Quarrie (Letters, August 18) wrote from cuckoo land he forgot (or ignored) the other side of the equation, as do the media and politicians; namely that in exchange for every Unionist the UK should repatriate an Irish Catholic (starting with Celtic supporters).

Get real David, there is no solution. The mistake was made in 1923 when the majority of the Irish nation wished to remain in the UK but a weak government bowed to a minority group, encouraged by the United States, and created a dog's breakfast. It may have been a 'divide and conquer' strategy by the USA, but it was probably just one of that country's many political blunders.

Joe Jones,

Rawcliffe Lane, York.

...There is another answer that Eire takes in all the nationalists who "just don't like living" in the north - similar "compensation and financial help" would willingly be given of course.

Mr Quarrie's "answer" amounts to cowardly capitulation to the bombers - that terrorism will triumph if continued murderously and persistently enough.

Charles Solomon,

Willow Croft,

Upper Poppleton, York.

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