Thursday November 30 1995

Peace strategy will remain

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT was always expected to seek to delay progress in the peace process, however, few anticipated the malevolent position they would adopt since the IRA cessation of August 1995. They have acted in bad faith, moving the goal posts on all party talks and refusing even to accept the existence of political prisoners in their prisons. The vindictive way they have sought to worsen conditions of Irish republicans in English prisons defies comprehension.

In such circumstances it would be all too easy to give in to a feeling of despair. Indeed that is in part what the British establishment is trying to achieve: - they have forced us to look into the abyss. Some Tory MPs, clearly dreaming of a military victory over the IRA have even openly talked about an ``acceptable short term'' return to armed conflict. Last week's MI5 briefing to the Observer predicted an ``imminent'' return to armed conflict, if the ``political logjam'' was not overcome. It was a crude attempt to create a climate conducive to the accord that would be agreed by John Major and John Bruton on Tuesday night. That accord will now be the subject of intense analysis by republicans, and all those interested in moving the peace process forward. The acid test however will be as Gerry Adams has stated - will it remove the British-imposed preconditions to all-inclusive dialogue on this island?

No matter what the ups and downs of the peace process are one thing remains constant. The central strategy of Sinn Féin will remain the peace strategy. This is not out of any dogmatic attachment to a given strategy, but is a result of the simple realisation that successful conflict resolution across the world has depended on all inclusive dialogue between former warring parties. The British are trying to duck and weave and dodge, but the conflict between the Irish people and the British government will eventually be resolved by dialogue. John Major should try to ensure that he is the British prime minister that will finally extricate his government from this country's affairs.