A Tangled Web

SO CLOSE AND YET..SO FAR.



This Newsletter editorial on the latest round of "talks" on the political process here in N Irelands seems promising. At least to start with.



After all, few sane unionists would argue with the contention that "Any attempt by Sinn Fein to audaciously string along the process to allow them to pocket political concessions without giving anything of substance in return must be resisted, not just by the other parties, but by the two governments." So far so good.



Even better, the Newsletter points out that, "... if the process is to have any chance of success, the time for open-ended fudges is over; Prime Minister Tony Blair must avoid putting his signature to back room unilateral deals with Sinn Fein." Again, fair enough.



Then comes the killer punch... "it may be useful to move from a starting point whereby unionists will agree to participate in a power-sharing executive with Sinn Fein, if appropriate action is taken on IRA decommissioning."



Hopeless. Here's why;



1. Why should unionists have to agree to "anything" first?

2. Why should unionists have to accept Sinn Fein in an executive whilst it's leading members allegedly sit on the IRA murder council?

3. What is the meaning of and time scale for "appropriate action" on IRA decommissioning? Vague and flowery - means nothing.



My alternative is so much simpler;



1. IRA told to disband and disarm or else the British and Irish Government, backed by the USA, will crush it. No more holding back - and no more craven appeasement to lure this political slime to the democratic road.

2. A low level devolved body, excluding the PUP and Sinn Fein, consisting of about 30 members should be put in place. Powers should be severely limited. It should, however, have the right to represent the views of the NI people to the Westninster Parliament so that Labour cannot impose its plans for radical egalitarian destruction of our society.

3. All political salaries to be halved.



That's it - now time to move forward folks...