Gerry Adams Deserves Role in Talks

* Re “Sinn Fein’s Adams Isn’t Welcome” (Letters, May 21):

Gerald House-Peters of San Juan Capistrano has an ax to grind that is completely one-sided. He dwells on the misdeeds of the Irish without any consideration of what caused them to react so violently.

He does not take into account the 400 years of abuse, repression, discrimination, pogroms, house burnings, gerrymandering, and civil and human rights denial that began when England sent over English and Scottish planters to take over seized Irish farms.

Gerry Adams is an Irish leader dedicated to finding a political solution. I believe he has not in the past disavowed the use of force because without force there would be no serious consideration given to finding a settlement.

I do not understand people who would deny Gerry Adams a chance to explain his side of the troubles. No solution can be reached by listening to only one side.

JOSEPH T. FLANAGAN

Laguna Hills