Irish Republican News , 25. March 2007
Flash:
(1) Devolution restored pending agreement
British Direct Ruler Peter Hain has signed the restoration order to
devolve governmental powers from London to Belfast, requiring the
Belfast Assembly to meet tomorrow [Monday] to nominate a new locally
elected administration of unionists and nationalists.
But with Ian Paisley's DUP having declared that they will not form a
devolved government until an agreed date in May, Hain said the parties
will have to agree a new plan on their own or face dissolution of the
Assembly -- with the termination of their salaries -- and the
continuation of direct British rule.
The DUP's resolution stated that in light of recent progress the party
would take part in a Six-County Executive in May with the condition
that "no one, including the [British] government, goes back on any of
the advances and commitments made".
The resolution -- more conciliatory than traditional Paisleyite
statements and avoiding explicit mention of a "testing period" -- was
hailed as a "breakthrough" by Peter Hain.
"This is the first time the DUP has said they will share power with
Sinn Fein," Mr Hain declared.
"We are in entirely new territory. The St Andrews process has brought
us to a point which some people said at the turn of the year was
inconceivable.
"However at this point we have set out the course that we are going to
take. If the parties are not going to do it our way through this
route, then they have to do it their way.
However, the parties are going to have to come forward with consensus
and tell us what they want to do."
It is being suggested that the parties will meet tomorrow in the
Programme for Government committee room to discuss the DUP's appeal for
more time.
While agreement is possible, there is scepticism among nationalists
that any later deadline will not again be circumvented by the DUP, who
have shown a clear and determined preference to delay the political
process as long as possible, and at least until the anticipated advent
of British Chancellor Gordon Brown to the position Prime Minister.
There is also media speculation that, in order to secure an agreement,
the DUP will likely end its refusal to hold direct talks with Sinn
Fein and may yet make a definitive commitment to share power with
republicans.
But as well as Sinn Fein -- who strongly wished to use their position
in government in the North as a springboard for the May election in the
26 Counties -- Reg Empey's Ulster Unionist Party and Mark Durkan's SDLP
have also rejected any further delay.
Negotiations are expected to continue until late Monday. If agreement
is reached, legislation will be rushed through the British parliament
to freeze the process until the new agreed date.
(2) Adams calls for 'Plan B'
Responding to the news that Ian Paisley's DUP is seeking a further
delay in Monday's planned restoration of the political institutions in
the Six Counties, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has said the Dublin
and London governments must now proceed to put in place their
all-Ireland partnership arrangements for the governance of the North.
Mr Adams said there would be "deep disappointment and dismay" at the
"failure of leadership by the DUP and their efforts to frustrate the
will of the people".
However, he allowed for the possibility that "direct dialogue and
agreement" between Sinn Fein and the DUP could yet resolve the problem.
Historically, the DUP has always refused to hold direct talks with
republicans.
The DUP executive held a five hour meeting in Belfast on Saturday
following demands from the two governments that they indicate whether
they will nominate to a power-sharing government by next Monday's
deadline.
It later emerged that they were trying to persuade the British
government to pass emergency legislation stopping Monday`s nomination
of devolved ministers and delaying the formation of the power sharing
government by six weeks.
While the DUP has not yet expressed a reason for seeking the delay, the
party has previously called for Sinn Fein to be "tested" on its
"commitment to democracy".
They were also pressing for a meeting of the Programme for Government
Committee instead on Monday with Mr Paisley and Mr Adams taking part
and for controversial new water charges to remain on hold.
Negotiations are still ongoing involving the two governments and the
political parties.
"Two weeks ago the people voted overwhelmingly for agreement and for
the restoration of the political institutions," Mr Adams said.
"All of the other parties are ready for government. There are no
outstanding issues.
"The DUP seeks to frustrate the will of the electorate. It cannot be
allowed to block or delay progress.
"[British Direct Ruler] Peter Hain has majored on his commitment to
devolution or dissolution by Monday. He needs to keep to this.
"If the DUP wants a functioning assembly after March 26 this can only
happen through direct dialogue and agreement with Sinn Fein and the
other parties.
"In the meantime the two governments must now proceed to put in place
their all-Ireland partnership arrangements.
"The Irish government especially must compensate for the absence of
local political institutions by providing effective representation in
the political institution of the Irish state for citizens living in the
north. The process of change must proceed."
