Nationalists for the Peace Process
A chairde,
Many people in the South of Ireland are extremely concerned and
dismayed about recent developments in the peace process.
There seems to be a campaign to delay the implementation of the Good
Friday Agreement. There are also elements trying to rewrite the
Agreement. We all have to be on our guard to ensure that the peace
process is moving forward each day. People are now beginning to
question the sincerity of Mr David Trimble MP. His Oslo speech was a
disgrace and an insult to all nationalists on the island of Ireland.
When you win a peace award people expect genuine openness and a
sincere attempt to understand your political opponents.
Many of us got the real impression that Mr Trimble wants to drag us
back to the old days. His attitude to his neighbours on the Garvaghy
Road leaves a lot to be desired. His attack on the Parades Commission
and his constant undermining of General John De Chastelain shows an
arrogance that is damaging to the whole peace process.
Many of us supported the whole idea of inclusive dialogue from the
beginning to bring about real change. Our group ``Nationalists for the
Peace Process'' have come together to push for the full implementation
of the Good Friday Agreement as a step on the road to a new Ireland.
We particulary want to support the northern minority at this
difficult time. We call on the leadership of unionism to stop playing
games with the democratic wishes of the Irish people. We also call on
the Irish government to represent the democratic will of the people
by implementing the Good Friday Agreement.
Finian McGrath (Co-ordinator Nationalists for the Peace Process)
Robert Ballagh (Artist)
Matt Merrigan (Former President of the ICTU)
Latin America
A chairde,
Just a brief comment about the comparison made by John Kearney in his
letter on14 January. He wrote that referring to ``Latin America''
(meaning Mexico, parts of South America, Central America, and some of
the Caribbean islands) was the same as referring to ``Great Britain''
(and including Ireland).
The general use of the word ``Latin'' refers more to the official
language of the countries than to the ethnic origin of their
inhabitants.
I agree that referring to that part of the American continent as
``Latin America'' is not entirely correct or even appropriate, but it
is not meant to be offensive. The general use of ``Latin America''
among the solidarity groups all around the world, from Ireland to
Australia, confirms this.
I. Irigoien
Dublin
Consult with community
A chairde,
I am very disappointed with the article by Roisín de Rossa (14
January) on the unspent £4 million allocated to drug projects.
I totally agree with the first paragraph. Yes, drug deaths are quite
unnecessary and quite unavoidable. But then to go on and say ``is
anyone serious about helping drug addicts back to living?'' is quite
outrageous and surprisingly ill-informed.
For two decades republicans have been to the forefront of the fight
against drugs. Some have been beaten, some shot by drug dealers and
many have been harassed, arrested and their homes raided by those who
should be out tackling the drug dealers.
I have personally been involved in the anti-drug campaign movement
for over two years in Blanchardstown. In those two years we have seen
the establishment of many community projects from
education/prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to youth projects
aimed at those most at risk.
Almost £1 million has been allocated by the local drug task force to
tackle the serious drug problem that we face.
I am astonished that Roisín calls for government bodies to railroad
facilities through and impose them on communities. It does not have
to be that way. We have through long and sometimes frustrating
consultations and public debates come to a situation that we now have
two local satellite clinics in place with plans in the pipeline for a
full treatment and rehabilitation centre. But there is still much to
be done.
I am still frustrated with the lack of speed in which we can
establish some projects, but we cannot achieve what we set out to do
by riding roughshod over the geniune fears of some sections of our
community.
Paul Donnelly
Blanchardstown, Dublin
Finucane inquiry
A chairde,
The Lawyers Group of Amnesty International Flanders support the call
for a full international independent judicial inquiry into the
killing of Belfast lawyer Patrick Finucane.
We also send our best wishes to the prisoners, the ex-prisoners and
their families.
Piet De Pauw
Geni (Flanders)
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