Republican News · Thursday 9 January 1996

[An Phoblacht]

The tide of history

Next week the some-party talks resume at Stormont. For over six months they have spluttered on, failing to reach even an agreed agenda. John Major asks the Irish and British people to invest all their hopes of peace in this charade and defends his continuing disenfranchisement of Sinn Féin voters. An attempt is being made at the same time to return to the old policy of demonisation of republicans.

But such old agendas have failed. The process of the past five years, the changing of the political landscape, the universal recognition of the need for an all-inclusive negotiated settlement, simply cannot be reversed. Two and a half years on from the August 1994 IRA cessation there are still those who do not appreciate the full significance of that event.

When the British government eventually recognised it for what it was they realised that they did not want it. As Unionist leader Jim Molyneaux said, it was a hugely destabilising factor. It shook the status quo, forced all to reassess their positions. The British eventually destroyed it.

The British government has tried to turn back the tide of history. But John Major's posture is even more pathetic than King Canute. He is being carried away by the receding tide. Unless he experiences a last-minute conversion he will be remembered in defeat as the Prime Minister who squandered one of the best opportunities to resolve this ancient conflict. But the one constant factor is change. Republicans stand ready to embrace change and to re-create in new and better circumstances the opportunity to transform the political life of our country. 1997 may have begun gloomily but with determination it can be the year when hope is reborn.

A popular victory

The final abolition of most local authority service charges in the 26 Counties represents a victory for all those who have campaigned over many years for the abolition of this unjust form of double taxation. Since their introduction the service charges have met with vocal opposition the length and breadth of the country. Local groups have protested throught their tenants and residents committees, elections have been fought on the issue, politicians have broken promises, political careers have been made and lost.

Steadfast opposition finally paid off with the announcement by the Dublin government just before Christmas that the old charges are to be abolished. The exact form of the new system for funding local authorities is not yet clear. What is clear though is that the government has finally had to admit defeat on the issue. Sinn Féin was among those groups which consistently opposed the charges over the years and its councillors throughout the 26 Counties are to be commended for their stand. Most credit of all goes to those local committees who campaigned so hard. Many of their members had to watch as thugs hired by local authorities cut off their water supply for non-payment of the charges. Some people even went to jail for non-payment.

immediate amnesty should now be declared for those who have not paid the charges. The continuing pursuit of people through the courts for non-payment of a now-abolished and long discredited charge would be scandalous.

Meanwhile a truly democratic system of local government, properly and equitably funded, has yet to be established.

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