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Virtually
every media source reporting on the peace process
heaps enormous criticism on Gerry Adams and SF. This
is true of British, Unionist, Nationalist and Republican
press. I often wonder how SF accomplished what it
has electorally with the endless parade of critical
talking heads. The British and certain unionist elements
seem intent on suspending the power-sharing government
in the Six Counties and, further, excluding SF from
it should it be restored. The price tag supposedly
placed on SF participation is complete disbandment
and decommissioning by PIRA. Yet other unionist camps,
including the DUP (I believe the now the unionist
party with the largest number of seats) wish to scuttle
the entire GFA and power-sharing government altogether
(though they may or may not deny it) and certainly
see no place for SF. Yet, at the same time, the PIRA
is the ONLY paramilitary to decommission any significant
number of weapons. The last act and most significant
act of decommissioning was rewarded with the suspension
of the Stormont assembly. All the while, loyalist
paramilitary violence continues at an alarming rate.
(Yet, here in America virtually no one even knows
there is such a thing as loyalist paramilitary groups.
Americans know more about the botched Tohill incident
than they do of all loyalist death squad murders in
the last thirty years. Loyalist killers receive no
press here.) The PIRA surely must see little good
in decommissioning under circumstances in which loyalist
paramilitaries perpetuate continuous attacks and the
British army and security forces solidifies their
positions.
Thus, the British and UUP position places SF between
the decommission/disband rock on the one side and
the loyalist paramilitary violence/"securocrat"
continuation/British military build up "hard
spot" on the other. Throw in the DUP joker in
this deck and the mind boggles at how far this process
proceeded. Several parties are dealing very dangerous
hands in this high stakes game of political poker.
The British and Unionists are apparently betting that
sufficient pressure will force SF into completely
dismantling the PIRA and, thereby, effectively ending
armed struggle for good. They may well be wrong. By
excluding SF from the power sharing government, don't
they risk alienating the very people so miraculously
brought to the table to start with? Don't they risk
leaving Republicans with no representation and, hence,
seemingly no POLITICAL options? Are they not also
gambling that Gerry Adams and company can deliver?
Meanwhile, isn't the PIRA leadership gambling on the
entire process at the same time? Wouldn't further
decommissioning be tantamount in their minds to throwing
good money after bad? Then, add in the DUP element,
which could not care less about SF and will not agree
to power share with SF no matter how many old provos
just fade away. Now, what happens?
The mere fact the lid has been kept on this powder
keg for so long is truly amazing. Someone must cry
"uncle." The center cannot hold. I have
not so much as read a thoughtful answer to any of
these issues from anyone and do not pretend to have
the answers myself. I doubt Gerry Adams and SF have
the answers either. At least, though, they are trying
to keep the lid on the powder keg and move forward
in some constructive way to continue peace and promote
economic prosperity and democracy. As an American
I certainly sympathize with any people seeking to
throw off the chains of British oppression, including
Irish Republicans. I also do not agree the last 800
years of struggle could be legitimately branded as
crime. I believe equally strongly that the armed struggle
of the last thirty years cannot continue or be resurrected,
even if someone wanted to do it. I sincerely hope
someone with vision and conviction steps forward to
try to solve this problem. If not, the current politicos
will probably destroy any semblence of peace.
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