Haiti, screamed Mr Clinton's critics, was not worth the loss of a single American life. So far, miraculously, not one has been lost.Over Northern Ireland, too, a controversial policy is paying off. Washington, it is worth repeating given the paranoia surrounding Gerry Adam's current visit, has only a bit-part in the peace process, and the Americans know that. But in hindsight the February visa, against which the British argued so strenuously, made its contribution to the August ceasefire.Mr Clinton may have allowed Mr Adams into the US partly to pander to Irish-American voters and to take revenge on the Tory government for supporting George Bush in 1992. In the event a media frenzy masked a precious learning experience for Mr Adams. Today, Washington is bending over backwards to be even-handed, offering itself as a 'facilitator'.

Through clenched teeth, the British government concedes that US involvement may have been 'helpful'. For once, on matters of foreign policy, Mr Clinton deserves praise.. Sir: Thank you for giving such prominent coverage to the recent scandal involving the abuse in Buckinghamshire of adults with learning disabilities. The insistence on an 'arm's length' inspection process is double-edged in that establishments such as Stoke Green House need close contact with other professionals who can both scrutinise and influence practice.