Will Agreement remain ``just a piece of paper''?
BY SEAN BRADY
The failure to meet the 31 October deadline for the establishment
of the shadow Executive and all-Ireland bodies is a clear breach
of the Good Friday Agreement. The passing of this deadline is the
most serious devlopment yet in the deteriorating political
situation.
The key issue to be resolved is the creation of the Six County
Executive. It is clear that the all-Ireland Ministerial Council
and policy implemetation bodies are interlocking and
interdependent on the creation of that Executive.
It is also clear that there is a huge commitment on all those who
negotiated the Good Friday Agreement to see its commitments
delivered. The Irish and British governments particularly have a
duty to ensure that the Agreement is met in full.
Sinn Fein is entitled to positions on the Executive and the
all-Ireland Ministerial Council. The question now is whether the
two governments will uphold these democratic rights or if David
Trimble will have his own way in overriding the express wishes of
the Irish people.
Round-table talks involving Bertie Ahern, two Dublin government
ministers, and all the pro-Agreement parties in the North took
place on Monday. This was welcomed by Sinn Fein as pointing a way
to resolve the current crisis. The presence of the Dublin
government was also an indication of the urgency of such a task.
Welcoming the Taoiseach's visit Gerry Adams said: ``The business
that is being done is basic, these are technical matters that
should have been sorted out a long time ago. I'm hopeful that his
presence here today will act as a catalyst and that there will be
a speedy conclusion and closure of these matters.
``If there is a political will, all of these issues requiring
closure can be concluded today. These matters could have been
closed last Thursday when they were also discussed.
``There is no point in Mr Trimble making statements about not
allowing the process to be derailed on a Sunday and then delaying
the process on Monday.
``I think it's worth reminding everyone that the people of this
island voted for the Good Friday Agreement but it is only a piece
of paper unless it is a reality in their daily lives. While there
is no institution from the Good Friday Agreement except this
shadow Assembly, there is a go-slow by the Ulster Unionists that
is corrosive.''
Adams pointed out that the assassination of nationalist Brian
Service in Belfast at the weekend was a direct attempt to wreck
the Agreement and that it was an example of ``the Orange Card
being played once again''. Such killings he said were perpetrated
when there was a political vacuum. It was imperative on political
leadership, therefore, to leave no space for that kind of action.
In a telephone conversation with Tony Blair on Saturday Gerry
Adams expressed his firm opinion that as a party to the Agreement
and as ``British Prime Minister, claiming jurisdiction over this
part of our island, he has to make sure that these institutions
and other aspects of the Agreeemnt are implemented in full''.
This political failure to implement the Agreement has been
coupled on the ground with measures that undermine nationalist
confidence in the ability of the Agreement to deliver and in the
commitment of the British government to oversee a process of real
change. The announcement for example that the two Scottish
soldiers responsible for killing nationalist civilian Peter
McBride are to remain in the British Army has enraged
nationalists.
Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Alex Maskey said that Mo Mowlam's
comments that she accepts this decision was a clear admission
that securocrats were the people who ultimately decide political
policy for the British government.
Meanwhile British militarisation has escalated in County Tyrone.
In particular an operation around the Cappagh area has resulted
in the virtual occupation of a small rural community.
Monday's round-table talks, while welcome, dealt mainly with
technical issues. This cannot be allowed to detract from the
stark reality that faces us. The Agreement has been breached and
there is no indication that David Trimble intends to change
course. Confidence in the process is being eroded by the day and
the vacuum is being filled by loyalist death squads. Those who
have responsbilities towards the agreement must now take hold of
the reins. Otherwise the Agreemnt will remain, as Gerry Adams has
said ``nothing more than a piece of paper''.
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