Businesslike start to talks
by Laura Friel
| |
The unionist representatives may have been there ``in body more
than spirit'', as one commentator put it, but at least they were
there
|
``There is no going back to the failed policies of the past.'' That
was the message Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness
brought to the first day of substansive negotiations at Stormont
this week. ``Partition has failed,'' said McGuinness,''The partition
of this small island and the division of our people have created
a failed political entity in the North of our country. The
inequality and the discrimination against nationalists and the
militarisation of this part of our country must end.''
``Businesslike'' was how most people described the first day's
meetings. Even the Ulster Unionists were talking of ``getting down
to brass tacks''. Posturing about never sitting down with Sinn
Fein was put aside, as party representatives in turn presented
their submissions to Strand One of the negotiations. Strand One
deals with relationships within the Six counties. In the opening
session, submissions were presented by all parties, the meeting
being chaired by British Minister Paul Murphy.
The unionist representatives may have been there ``in body more
than spirit'', as one commentator put it, but at least they were
there.
Strand Two deals with the relationships between North and South
and involves all parties and the British and Irish government.
Strand Three is the relationship between the two governments.
We enter these negotiations as Irish Republicans,'' said
McGuinness, ``but in a spirit of openness, flexibility and
friendship. We are willing to engage in real and meaningful
negotiations with those who come to these negotiations with a
pro-Union agenda. Our objective is, through dialogue among all
the people of this island, to achieve an agreed Ireland.''
Well, Ken Maginnis and Reg Empey were there, Ulster Unionist
Leader David Trimble having opted for a little negative
campaigning from across the Atlantic.
Bobby Sands writing on the first day of his hunger strike said ``I
am standing on the threshold of another trembling world'', Sinn
Fein President Gerry Adams told Strand Two, ``We too stand today
on a threshold. A new century, a new millennium beckons to us
all, holding out the hope of a new beginning for the people of
Ireland and of these islands.''
``Sinn Fein enters these negotiations as an Irish Republican party
seeking to promote the broad nationalist objective of an end to
British rule in Ireland. British policy at present upholds the
union. It enforces the partition of Ireland. Democratic opinion
in Ireland and in Britain must seek to change this policy to one
of ending the union.''
Adams outlined issues ``which fuel the conflict'', and called for
equality of treatment in all sectors of society. ``These issues do
not require negotiation. They are issues of basic civil and human
rights,''said Adams. The British government should act on these
issues immediately by outlining a programmatic approach which
delivers real change, which makes equality a reality and which
builds confidence in the wider peace process.'' The Irish
government and Irish nationalist also have a responsibility to
``ensure that the concerns and fears of the unionist population
are addressed and resolved through negotiation,'' said Adams
SDLP depty leader Seamus Mallon also placed the relationship
between North and South at the heart of the matter. Strand Two
was arguably the most important said Mallon. Refering to the
Framework Document, Mallon said in addressing North and South and
all-island relationships, a settlement would have to ensure that
political structures were put in place which would ``provide the
fulcrum and dynamic for a new partnership.'' He said the SDLP saw
``such insitutions with executive powers as being an integral part
of any new settlement.''
Earlier John Hume, speaking for Strand One, said the objective
should be the creation of a new agreed Ireland which respected
``the rights, cultures and aspirations of our communities.''
y settlement would have to be endorsed North and South, said
Hume. ``That endorsement would amount to the popular expression of
the right to self determination on behalf of the people of
Ireland.''
Meanwhile the Unionist Party was sticking to an internal
settlement and the unionist veto. The Unionist Party would never
give up ``Northern Ireland's right to self determination,'' argued
Ken Maginnis. Any arrangement arising out of the talks would have
to attract the consent of ``the overwhelming majority of the
people of Northern Ireland.'' Empey called for the removal of
Articles 2&3, rejected the Framework document and called for the
replacement of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. ``Northern Ireland could
have a special relationship with the Republic,'' Empey allowed.
Gary McMichael of the UDP said there would be ``no compromise on
the existence of Northern Ireland.'' While David Ervine of the PUP
spoke for the Combined Loyalist Military Command. The message
from CLMC was that Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK
``as per the will of the people.''
Emerging from talks, the Ulster Unionist Party appeared out of
step with the other participants' upbeat message. Ken Maginnis
described himself as ``tetchy and testy'' during the negotiations.
``Frosty'' was how Sinn Fein epitomised the unionists approach. ``It
is still very early days,'' said Martin McGuinness, ``and we would
hope that in the course of the coming weeks they will chill out.''
But there were some lighter moments. In a moment of gentle
teasing, Gerry Adams complained that the unionists wouldn't talk
to him. The West Belfast MP pointed out that Reg Empey was
actually one of his constituents. ``Well Gerry,'' quipped the
Ulster Unionist, ``you'll be telling me I voted for you next.''
interesting footnote is perhaps that when Sinn Fein's
delegation arrived at Stormont the following day, delegates
scheduled to meet with the decommissioning subcommittee, were
pleasently surprised to find no barage of waiting journalists
determined to try and put Sinn Fein on the spot. In fact the
place was deserted. Perhaps the media are weary of trying to
catch that particular red herring.
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