Who fears to talk?
If, as now seems likely, Unionists refuse to participate in
face-to-face negotiations next Monday it will prove to the world
who is serious about peace. Unionists have huffed and puffed for
years about peace but now that it is time to put up or shut up,
they have been struck dumb.
That will be no surprise to anyone who has taken even the
slightest objective interest in Irish politics over the last
years. Monday may well prove that Unionists are so afraid of
change that they are willing to delay the best chance of peace
this country has seen in many generations.
Everyone is involved in negotiations
Republicans are ready to put their case for self-determination,
for justice and freedom at the all-party talks. The leadership of
Sinn Féin has worked tirelessly to create the conditions for
meaningful negotiations and they are prepared for tough talks.
But negotiations are not a spectator sport. There are many issues
about which nationalists must urgently protest. Not least, the
issue of prisoners must be highlighted. That can begin on Sunday
when Saoirse will hold a march and rally in Belfast. The Saoirse
campaign are calling for a huge turnout. The prisoners deserve
that those calls be answered.
Time for Scotland
Today the people of Scotland have the chance to vote for a
devolved parliament. They should do so in overwhelming numbers.
The proposed parliament is not Scottish independence and there
are many limitations to its power which will be distasteful to
any Scottish republican. But an overwhelming majority will be the
first step to winning the full independence which Scotland needs
and which is its right.