Deadlock unbroken
BY CAITLIN DOHERTY
The series of talks that intensified during the week has so far
failed to break the deadlock in the peace process. As An Phoblacht
goes to press, meetings are ongoing in a bid to make progress.
On Monday, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and senior negotiator
Martin McGuinness met with British direct ruler Majorie Mowlam. As
senior members of Sinn Féin met with all pro-agreement parties, a
further meeting with the Ulster Unionist Party was held. That
evening, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness met with Bertie Ahern and
Tony Blair.
On Tuesday, a further marathon round of talks was held between all
the parties. In the evening, the most important face-to-face talks
were held between Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Ulster Unionist
John Taylor, First minister designate David Trimble, as well as
Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair.
As Ahern and Blair left on Wednesday afternoon, they gave an upbeat
assessment of the situation. However, concern was widespread about
the manner in which the pace of events and meetings was left open. As
both leaders left Hillsbourough Castle, where the talks were set to
continue between the parties, David Trimble headed off. He was not
alone. The Ulster Unionist took his whole negotiating team with him.
He did not say when he would be back and merely indicated that this
would be dependent on the pace of events. His move was certainly
unhelpful at such a crucial stage of the talks and is a reflection of
his attitude towards the whole process. On the contrary, Sinn Féin's
reinforced negotiating team continued to meet with other parties in
an attempt to secure the progress that is required.
Speaking at Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday evening, Sinn Féin
Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin said: There were some ideas canvassed
today- a number were put forward for discussion. Sinn Féin put some
ideas forward. I have to say that none of these have broken the
deadlock. so far no new ideas have emerged this evening.
``Sinn Fein is here in a positive mode- determined to end the impasse
and secure the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. This
morning, the IRA in its Easter message clearly sought to be helpful
and make a positive contribution with a statement which promotes the
peace process.
``Its important to point out that whatever is prepared or canvassed
has to be in the context of the Agreement and respect for the
democratic mandate of the parties. That is the safety blanket for the
two governments and all the parties.
McLaughlin concluded: ``It is important to point out that this is not
a dispute between two parties. It is the responsibility of the two
governments and all the parties. The delay has been caused by a
precondition which calls for Sinn Féin to deliver IRA weapons,
something we have made clear is impossible in the terms demanded of
us.''
The Oglaigh na hÉireann Easter message, widely publicised by the
media on Wednesday, had been welcomed by many of the parties present
at the talks. David Trimble, however, was dismissive of a message in
which the leadership of Oglaigh na hÉireann stated that its guns lay
silent and emphasised its contribution in a real and meaningful way
to the creation of a climate which would facilitate the search for a
durable peace settlement. The Easter message showed the positive
leadership of Oglaigh na hÉireann and struck a positive note at a
time of heightened tensions and uncertainty about the future.
The lack of progress on a grass-roots level, however, has so far
failed to prove the potential of the Good Friday Agreement to deliver
real change. In the past weeks, the attempts of loyalist death squads
to murder nationalist families has intensified. Senior Sinn Féin
members are under constant threat and leading republicans in isolated
areas
have been the target of bomb attacks.
The murder of human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson also highlighted
the degree of collusion between official British forces and loyalist
death squads. The failure of the British and Irish governments to
establish a fully international independent judicial investigation
and inquiry is also a reflection of the way the nationalist community
continues to be treated. The basis for justice is equality, but
Rosemary Nelson's family and community continue to be treated as
second class citizens.
In Portadown, the plight of the Garvaghy Road residents has also
worsened. So far, the British government has failed to act to protect
the nationalist residents from sectarian harassment and has remained
silent as the Orange Order threatens more than 60 rallies before
July.
The Ulster Unionists have not moved off their position guided by
preconditions. David Trimble remains locked in an obstructionist
mindset and continues, at this late stage, to employ stalling
tactics, despite the fact that he himself has admitted that there are
no preconditions to the establishment of the Assembly Executive.
Time is being used by David Trimble against the nationalist
community. The only way to resolve the current deadlock is through
partnership and a joint approach to problems; by showing leadership,
and not by pandering to the will of the no-camp and wreckers of the
Agreement.
Concern is increasingly being voiced at the games being played by
unionism. Delaying the implementation of the Agreement is not merely
unhelpful. David Trimble, by pursuing stalling and obstructionist
tactics at a time the nationalist community is alarmed by his
unwillingness to change, is attempting to silence some 175,000 voices
and is again trying to deny Sinn Féin it's democratic mandate.
Through his refusal to move the process forward, David Trimble is
undermining the credibility of the Good Friday Agreement and the
peace process itself. By failing to stand up to the wreckers of
peace, Trimble is failing to show the resolute leadership that was
expected of him.
The onus is now on Mo Mowlam to show positive leadership and trigger
the d'Hondt mechanism to ensure that the Executive meets by the first
anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. She should have done so
weeks ago. It has been repeated that there can be no further delay.
But this week marks a new turn.
One thing is crystal clear: time is ticking against us. It is time to
make an ultimate push for progress and ensure that the will of the
vast majority of the people of the island is respected. It is time
for Unionism to show its willingness to change. It is time for David
Trimble to face up to his responsibilities. The push for progress
must ultimately lead to a full and unconditional implementation of
the Good Friday Agreement .
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