LETTER : Arafat sets a fine example

From Mr Patrick Cosgrave

Sir: I have never - to put it very mildly - been an admirer of Yasser Arafat. But I am sure that I am not alone in applauding his forceful and unequivocal denunciation of the terrorist assaults in Jerusalem and Ashkelon at the weekend ("The honeymoon is over for Peres", 26 February).

It should be set in stark contrast to the weasel words of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness following the recent outbreak of IRA bombings. There was no word of condemnation of terrorism in anything either man had to say in a multiplicity of interviews and speeches.

Sinn Fein/IRA has often claimed sympathy and alliance with such disaffected peoples as the Palestinians. Let them learn from Mr Arafat.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Cosgrave

London, SW4