WE are dismayed at the news that John Major did not win the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize for his valiant efforts to achieve peace in Ireland.

All too often, Mr Major has been cast as Margaret Thatcher's under-study, a political mediocrity who inherited power rather than won it - honest, but grey; capable but never inspired.

Such a view is mistaken and unfair, not least because Mr Major has presided over the winning of peace in Ireland after a quarter of a century of sectarian brutality and slaughter.

His is an achievement which eluded supposedly more illustrious predecessors, including Lady Thatcher and Lord Wilson.

The measure of this accomplishment is reflected everywhere in Britain and Ireland.

Even the most modest manifestations of peace - like the return of litter bins to Bolton town centre - are heartening for the ordinary folk of the two countries.

None of this is to undermine the gallant efforts of other peace-mongers - former Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds and SDLP leader John Hume, both of whom were also nominated for the Nobel prize.

Nor can the essential role of Gerry Adams be ignored, and perhaps the recent lack of progress as a result of the disarmament issue contributed to the 1995 award going to a non-Anglo-Irish nominee.

Perhaps next year, when we hope the peace process is more firmly cemented, Mr Major and other brokers of peace in Ireland may get their just recognition. We hope this is so. Good signing THE signing by the Wanderers of Yugoslav international Sasa Curcic in a £1 million-plus deal is cheering and eagerly-awaited news.

After the premature departure to Liverpool of Jason McAteer, it was crucial for Roy McFarland and Colin Todd to make a signing that would swiftly and effectively fill the midfield gap.

We are confident that the Wanderers management duo have chosen wisely. Curcic has proved himself at international level - and his unfamiliarity with the English game may well give him a healthy disrespect for the Premier League big boys.

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