Irish Republican News, November 10, 2006
Governments to move St Andrews process forward
"Irish Republicans and nationalists have had over 80 years of the worst kind
of state policing. Sinn Féin is totally opposed to a counter-insurgency led,
collusion ridden, sectarian based paramilitary force which seeks to defend
the status quo and the interests of one section of people by oppressing
another section. And we make no apologies for this."
Sinn Féin Präsident Gerry Adams in a speech to Irish American supporters in New York
The Dublin and London governments announced today they would draw up
legislation to implement the St Andrews proposals to revive power sharing
in the North of Ireland.
Following the responses of parties in the North to the proposals, British
Direct Ruler Peter Hain and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern
issued a statement saying: "When we concluded our talks at St Andrews in
October we asked the parties to reflect on the agreement, to consult with
their membership on the proposed way forward and to confirm their
acceptance by November 10th.
"These consultations are now complete and the Governments have been in
contact with the parties.
"We are satisfied from these contacts that the St Andrews Agreement,
implemented in good faith, represents the basis for a political settlement.
"That settlement must rest on the two foundations of support for
power-sharing and the political institutions and support for policing and
the rule of law.
"Securing these objectives remains the priority of the two Governments and
of everyone in Northern Ireland.
"We will now proceed to ensure full implementation of the St Andrews
Agreement and the British government will bring forward legislation to give
effect to the Agreement.
"There is much to be done and there is a responsibility on all to play
their part. We will work actively with the parties to complete this task
and clear the way for a new era for the people of Northern Ireland."
Last night the DUP issued a non-committal statement on the St Andrews
process. Following a meeting in Castlereagh on the outskirts of Belfast, a
resolution was passed neither backing nor rejecting the agreement. Earlier
this week, Sinn Fein confirmed it would follow the course set out in the
proposals presented by the two governments following intensive negotiations
in Scotland last month.
However, the DUP warned last night there would be "adverse implications"
for the timetable laid out at St Andrews if Sinn Fein do not quickly
support the PSNI police and the [British] rule of law.
No dates were set down in the St Andrews proposals for Sinn Fein to
support the police or for the transfer of policing and justice powers from
London to Belfast, two of several key issues which remain to be dealt with.
The DUP said:
"As Sinn Fein is not yet ready to take the decisive step
forward on policing, the DUP will not be required to commit to any aspect
of power sharing in advance..."
This threatens to undo the governments' timetable, which calls for the
inauguration of DUP leader Ian Paisley as First Minister alongside Sinn
Fein's Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister by November 24.
The date has been described as an "absolute and immovable" deadline before
the back-up 'Plan B' is set in motion. This is understood to provide for a
series of steps towards joint authority of the Six Counties by the two
governments.
In a speech to Irish American supporters in New York last night, Mr Adams
confirmed there were still issues around policing to be resolved before he
could recommend a special party conference [Ard Fheis]:
"Irish Republicans and nationalists have had over 80 years of the worst kind
of state policing. Sinn Féin is totally opposed to a counter-insurgency led,
collusion ridden, sectarian based paramilitary force which seeks to defend
the status quo and the interests of one section of people by oppressing
another section. And we make no apologies for this.
The Good Friday Agreement was about changing all that was wrong with
the northern state - tackling discrimination against Catholics, resolving
deep rooted human rights and equality issues, constitutional and
institutional matters and of course creating a new start for policing and
justice.
The Agreement declared that our society needed a new beginning to policing
and defined the criteria for a civic policing service. That is the position
Sinn Féin supports. ...
Sinn Féin's focus is about bringing an end to partisan and sectarian
policing. We are determined to ensure that all elements in policing are
accountable. ...
I have made clear that when the British government and the DUP conclude
with us in a satisfactory way on the outstanding policing issues, I will go
to the Sinn Fein ardchomhairle and seek a special ardfheis," he said.
