TRANSITION IS NOW COMPLETE
Transition is now complete
SINN Fein must be delighted. Their transition is now complete.
Two years ago they stood on the fringe of Northern Ireland politics as the political wing of the IRA. Now in the aftermath of the worst tragedy of the troubles they have joined the condemnation, with the other constitutional politicians.
Sinn Fein sits in an elected assembly as constitutional politicians, to ensure the British and Irish governments deliver a united Ireland. So many people voted yes to the peace agreement based on the hand written pledges of Mr Blair on decommissioning and on prisoner release.
Both these pledges have subsequently been shown to be nothing more than rhetoric. Were a similar vote to be taken today, the result would be different
Clearly, in republican circles, 'peace is a synonym for "United Ireland".
Acts such as the Omagh bombing are liable to continue until this is achieved. The government and political commentators do not wish to recognise this fact because the alternative is to confront terrorism, something which the British government has consistently failed to do during the last 30 years.
OBJECTIVE OBSERVER
Carrickfergus
SINN Fein must be delighted. Their transition is now complete.
Two years ago they stood on the fringe of Northern Ireland politics as the political wing of the IRA. Now in the aftermath of the worst tragedy of the troubles they have joined the condemnation, with the other constitutional politicians.
Sinn Fein sits in an elected assembly as constitutional politicians, to ensure the British and Irish governments deliver a united Ireland. So many people voted yes to the peace agreement based on the hand written pledges of Mr Blair on decommissioning and on prisoner release.
Both these pledges have subsequently been shown to be nothing more than rhetoric. Were a similar vote to be taken today, the result would be different
Clearly, in republican circles, 'peace is a synonym for "United Ireland".
Acts such as the Omagh bombing are liable to continue until this is achieved. The government and political commentators do not wish to recognise this fact because the alternative is to confront terrorism, something which the British government has consistently failed to do during the last 30 years.
OBJECTIVE OBSERVER
Carrickfergus
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0179
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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