Governments must rebuild confidence
By Marcas Mac Ruairí
FOLLOWING last week's scandalous expulsion of Sinn Féin
from the talks, the party has emphasised to both
governments that they must move to rebuild confidence
in the process.
The growing crisis which culminated in last week's
expulsion, began in December when the unionists refused
to agree an agenda for the talks.
This was followed by several weeks of an intense
campaign of random murder as loyalist paramilitaries
tried to restrain the scope of the agenda which
everybody knew was going to be imposed by the
governments.
In the resulting Propositions of Heads of Agreement,
any reference to all Ireland bodies was watered down
beyond recognition.
The plans to put a proposed settlement to a referendum
in May remain in place. In order to meet this deadline
- with negotiations drawing to a close by the end of
March - an intense period of negotiations is now
expected, bringing the current talks to an end.
The theory is that if an agreement is not reached among
the participants, the governments will impose their own
settlement which will be put to the referendum.
When Sinn Féin was expelled last week, it was clear to
all that the decision was made at the behest of David
Trimble.
It is scandalous therefore, that at such a crucial and
intense time in the negotiations, the governments
should collaborate to exclude it purely on the word of
an RUC man, a representative of the organisation which
has been the bulwark against the development of
nationalist opposition to the partition of Ireland.
More than anything, this action has destroyed
nationalist confidence in the talks as presently
constituted.
The peace process grew out the agreed position between
Gerry Adams, John Hume and the Dublin government that
progress could only be made on an inclusive basis and
with a strong all Ireland dimension, involving change
to the British constitution. Moreover, they agreed that
any settlement must carry the support of both
communities.
David Trimble, throughout the duration of the talks
process, has failed to acknowledge these core points.
He failed to engage in any negotiation or to make any
reference to the aspirations of nationalists in the Six
Counties. He has shown no realisation that that peace
must deliver change.
To supporters of Sinn Féin and the SDLP, the process as
constituted appears to be following a unionist agenda
and the British government playing an Orange card.
Outrage at Sinn Féin's expulsion has not waned in the
course of the past week. But the confidence crisis for
the peace process cannot be allowed to drift aimlessly.
The governments must steel themselves and not allow the
process to be diverted into the cul-de-sac of
marginaliation.
Leading members of Sinn Féin have pointed out that the
party remains committed to its peace process. On the
strength of its mandate it has a right to be in there.
The ball is now firmly in the court of the British
government to try and restore confidence. As the talks
move quickly towards a settlement Tony Blair should
meet with the leaders of Sinn Féin as quickly as
possible.
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