Republican Advances and Counter Attack

Republican Success and Northern Politics

Sinn Fein’s spectacular election results in the north since June 2001 add to the Unionist crisis. The specter of sharing power with Irish Republicans is apparently chilling to the pro-British establishment in spite of the fact that Sinn Fein has taken more chances, made more hard decisions and done more to make the peace process and the GFA work than any other party. The IRA has made mind blowing concessions and commitments. The people know this.

Sinn Fein’s advances in the south raise an even more disturbing concept for northern Unionism, that of an increasing All-Ireland dimension.

That’s why Trimble, in his Fall 2002 ultimatum to pull down the Good Friday Agreement’s political institutions focused on blocking Sinn Fein from participation in the North-South political bodies.

Unionists are distraught that a 32 County Irish Republic will inexorably come into being through peaceful means.

That s also what the GFA, Sinn Fein s political work, and the IRA military cessation were supposed to be about: the possibility of peaceful, democratic change.

Unionism s paramilitary co-travelers send more direct, more chilling messages: pipe bombs, murder and harassment. To them the All Ireland dimension of the GFA by peaceful means is no less than a pan nationalist conspiracy and SF’s democratic success diabolical.

Sinn Fein Successes Effect Upon Southern Politics

For the other political parties in the south, Sinn Fein’s success means diminishing influence. Sinn Fein is the only all-Ireland party north and south.

In 2001, the Dublin government banned Sinn Fein fundraising in the United States.

The Fianna Fail party, currently in power, publicly refused to consider a coalition partnership with Sinn Fein regardless of the circumstances.

This did not escape David Trimble when he could then complain: if parties in the Republic of Ireland will not sit in government with Sinn Fein, why should the UUP? A good point.

The Negative effects of success

Success, north and south, and political harrying and intrigue by the other parties and governments, are taxing SF s resources to the limit. Providing for constituency services and offices and contesting elections to begin with, is a massive burden.

Protecting Nationalist/Catholic communities under siege also draws upon human and practical resources. Republican activists who work for their constituents all day, and then help patrol and defend sectarian flash points half the night, have a breaking point that can be stretched just so far.