Pre-conditions and False Objectives

In light of the evolving peace process, which was largely due to and sustained by IRA and Sinn Fein initiatives. It is, of course, an artificial roadblock used by Unionism to thwart progress and it is acceded to by the British government.

This became particularly absurd as the 10th anniversary of the IRA s cessation of military operations passed this August 31, 2004.

The virtual or real defeat of political/military opponents in the context of a peace process is counterproductive. The objective of an effective peace process is a lasting, democratic settlement among former combatants committed to reconciliation.

British strategy with regards Unionist demands vis-à-vis the IRA becomes further questionable if one takes in balance the negative role played by overt and covert British government military and intelligence forces that are coming to light as a result of the Stevens reports, Cory report and many other recent disclosures, as well as the horrors inflicted by Loyalist death squads throughout the 35 plus years of armed conflict, continuing to this day.

Add to this an estimated 100,000-plus weapons of all sorts legally held by Unionists and the fact that Loyalist paramilitary organizations are as active as ever.

Where are the cries from the politicians for Loyalist paramilitary ceasefires, the decommissioning of their military arsenals, from the demilitarization of British army and intelligence infrastructure?

In contrast, the IRA have three times put large amounts of weaponry beyond use, certified by the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning under Canadian General deChastelain and have consistently stated their commitment to the peace process and the full implementation of the GFA by all parties. As Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has said many times, ALL the guns must be removed from Irish politics.

Conflict resolution requires combatants abide by current commitments, which the IRA and Sinn Fein unquestionably have.

Nevertheless, the British government has given in to Unionist’s destabilizing demands, ever increasing in scope, severity and unreasonableness, for the IRA to disarm on Unionist terms, or to disband on Unionist terms, or perhaps next, to march in file into the sea on Unionist terms.

More specifically, Unionism wants to disenfranchise Sinn Fein s voters, now the largest Nationalist political party in the north of Ireland, under the pretense of the IRA’s silent guns.

Political power before peace

The unionist/loyalist position is absurd. It seeks to block political progress until the members of the UUP and DUP are satisfied with the behavior of Sinn Fein and the IRA. There is not the remotest possibility of any of these dissidents declaring themselves happy with republicans now or at any other time.

What GFA Implementation Could Mean vis-à-vis the Republican Movement

If the political, democratic institutions and human/civil rights guarantee the short-term purpose of the IRA’s 35 year campaign would have been served, i.e., a semblance of civil and human rights for all would have been established, albeit in a still undemocratically and illegally partitioned statelet.

Irish Republicans long-term mission would have also been forwarded, i.e., to have the opportunity to achieve a united, independent, and truly democratic Ireland through non-violent, political means.

That is what the GFA is about: democratic solutions for political problems and a level playing field to pursue political goals.