Teribus Im sorry fo a short post ,buthave to rush.
I am cynical about the reasons you gave for the change in policy regarding negotiations with IRA .I think the continued bombing campaign, especially the Brighton bomb certainly helped to concentrate the government of the days' mind
Surely no sane person believes this terrorism can be defeated by brute force ,That would mean taking on Islam and all the nutters contained within its folds.Comprmise would appeare to be the only way forward,who knows to what end .The alternative ...Armageddon...Ake