Unionists out of step - Kelly
By Mick Naughton
Senior Sinn Fein peace negotiator Gerry Kelly talking to An
Phoblacht from Sinn Fein's Stormont offices on Wednesday
afternoon accused Unionists of being ``out of step with their own
communities''. Kelly was speaking against the background of
unionist acrimony after the UUP, DUP and UKUP parties voted down
the British and Irish governments decommissioning document. In
that vote, the UDP and PUP abstained while the SDLP, Alliance,
Women's Coalition and Northern Ireland Labour voted in favour.
Kelly, also hit the political nail on the head when he spoke of
how this was yet another attempt by unionists to stall
substantive negotiations aimed at ``reaching a just and lasting
peace for all the people on this island''
``The unionist people elected their representatives to sort out
this situation, but once again we are reduced to hearing the same
old cries, which actually reveal the lack of depth of rational
argument within those unionist parties who are clearly afraid of
change.''
Kelly said Sinn Fein was ``looking forward to substantive
negotiations in September.''
Revealing how the Sinn Fein negotiating team were putting
together the `nuts and bolts' for that beginning Kelly confirmed
contact with British officials inside Stormont's Castle
buildings, the venue for the talks. ``We have had a preliminary
meeting and a formal meeting is to follow,'' he said.
The political development that shook Ireland on Saturday morning,
19 July saw Oglaigh na hEireann reinstate its August 1994
cessation of military operations and resulted in much political
fall-out. As the week progressed the various shades of unionism
made a speedy exit from Stormont. The UKUP headed off on Monday
as the Sinn Feiners arrived. An indication of what was quickly
resembling the headless chickens routine came with the DUP
suggestion that the Stormont venue be scrapped and switched to
the Interpoint building, the Forum venue which no nationalist
party attends.
After voting against the two governments document the DUP
followed McCartney's UKUP out of Stormont, saying they ``wouldn't
be back''.
However, playing a different hand, the Ulster Unionists have said
they will return in September for the beginning of the talks
proper.
The Orange Order on Monday called on all unionists to walk away
from the talks. The fringe loyalists have criticised the bigger
unionist parties for not staying in the talks. Paisley's venom
against the UDP and PUP was clear when he stormed out on
Wednesday.
Giving voice to the Sinn Fein analysis national Chair Mitchel
McLaughlin pointed to the language in the last week.
``There was much talk aobut `the train leaving the station',
`balls being in Sinn Fein's court' etc. Well the ball's no longer
in Sinn Fein's court and there's no train apparently leaving. Of
course we have to take time for others to steady themselves. We
are witnessing knee jerking and posturing which will eventually
be replaced by talking. We have never lost sight of the horizon.
Our focus is firmly fixed on the big picture.''
Sinn Fein elected peace negotiators took their place in Stormont
less than 24 hours after the IRA cessation came into effect.
Over the next couple of days they held a series of meetings with
the SDLP, Women's Coalition and Northern Ireland Labour Party.
Earlier on Monday Gerry Kelly had a meeting over coffee with
Dublin government Foreign Minister Ray Burke.
The Sinn Fein team remain in place in preparation for the work
ahead while the parties of Paisley and McCartney drive down the
Stormont mile, preferring the dinosaur politics of deadlock,
impasse and conflict.
The reality which unionists must face was outlined by Mitchel
McLaughlin when he stated:
``We believe that this is about the exercise of self-determination
by the people of this island and we are designing the political
structures. Tony Blair made clear no outcomes were predetermined
and no options have been left off the table. Not only do we
believe that a united Ireland will be on the agenda, but I can
give you a guarantee that it will.''
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