Republican News · Thursday 15 May 2003

Congressman questions Blair's comitment to peace

US Democratic Representative Frank Pallone Jr on Tuesday voiced his disappointment that the peace process has once again derailed, and seriously questioned whether or not Britain was bowing to the demands of unionists. The New Jersey congressman, on the floor of the US House of Representatives, said:

"With Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement of the indefinite postponement of the elections in Northern Ireland, I worry that Great Britain is bowing to the demands of Unionist radicals in Northern Ireland who obviously oppose the Good Friday Accords.

"With the clock ticking toward the scheduled elections on 29 May, Prime Ministers Blair and Ahern held numerous meetings and made subsequent statements that led many media outlets around the world to report that the Northern Ireland Assembly was close to being reinstated.

"At the 11th hour, Prime Minister Blair asked the Irish Republican Army to declare their commitment to the Good Friday Accords and disarmament. While the IRA was not an original signatory of the Good Friday Accords, they still welcomed the Prime Minister's questions. The IRA, both through a recently released statement and through statements made by Sinn Féin's President Gerry Adams, made several clear and unambiguous statements pledging their peaceful intentions.

"It is obvious to me that the IRA has clearly stated their peaceful intentions to bring a complete and final closure to the conflict in the north. They have committed to disarmament to bring a final end to the insurrections.

"In the final days before Prime Minister Blair's announcement of the postponement of the elections, he continued to press the IRA to clarify their intentions. While much of the international community and the press viewed the IRA's statements as a giant step toward peace, Prime Minister Blair oddly continued to claim they were not going far enough.

"Then suddenly, Prime Minister Blair cancelled the elections in spite of opposition from the Irish government and every political party in Northern Ireland, except the Ulster Unionists.

"For the last five years, Blair has been urging the IRA to make a statement pledging their support for peace. Now, when the Agreement is about to fall apart, the IRA stepped up to the plate and the Prime Minister let a home run pitch pass him by. It seems that rather than working for what is truly important, peace, he is carrying the water of the Ulster Unionists.

"So - The question is - does Prime Minister Blair really want to see a peaceful resolution to the situation in Northern Ireland, or has it all just been a big political ploy to get the Irish republicans to pledge peace and then force them back under the control of the crown. I certainly hope the latter is not the case.

"I call on Prime Minister Blair to first, announce a June date for the Assembly Elections in Northern Ireland. Then, he must bring the parties back to the table to reinstate the peace process and most importantly the Assembly. Now, at this critical time, Mr. Blair must show true leadership and prove that he is not simply a pawn to Protestant Unionist radicals in Northern Ireland.

"This is a truly remarkable and historic time in Northern Ireland's history. I can honestly say, a lasting and just peace is within reach. Now it is up to Prime Minister Blair to do what is right and allow the people of Northern Ireland the opportunity to decide for themselves who should govern their provinces."