Ulster's Peace Process in Jeopardy as Major Rethinks Policy

Strategic Insights -

The Anglo-Irish declaration's attempted clarification by the Northern Ireland Office has been met with skepticism, as Sinn Fein considers the exchange a propaganda success. Despite the stern language warning Sinn Fein to stop "playing for time," the situation remains stagnant, with no significant progress towards peace. The contacts between John Major and Gerry Adams have been deemed ill-advised, as Sinn Fein continues to cultivate a false sense of legitimacy without fulfilling the necessary preconditions for talks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Anglo-Irish declaration's clarification attempt has been deemed pointless and potentially counterproductive, as it may be seen as a propaganda victory for Sinn Fein.
  • The Northern Ireland Office's semantic distinction between "commentary" and "clarification" may be unclear to the anxious Unionist community.
  • Sinn Fein's strategy since the declaration's signing has been to create a false sense of legitimacy without fulfilling the preconditions for exploratory talks.
  • The IRA has continued its violent activities, including shelling Heathrow airport, shooting a British helicopter, and targeting troops, policemen, and civilians.
  • The death of a teenager in a sectarian attack in Armagh and the shooting of two Catholic building workers by the Ulster Volunteer Force demonstrate the determination of the men of violence to continue their work.
  • The stalled plans for an administrative assembly in the province and the lack of progress towards peace indicate that a new strategy is urgently needed.
  • David Trimble's proposed amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill and the stalled plans for an administrative assembly in the province offer potential alternatives to the current approach.

Statistics:

  • 1 teenager killed in a sectarian attack in Armagh
  • 2 Catholic building workers shot dead by the Ulster Volunteer Force
  • 5 months since the Anglo-Irish declaration was signed
  • 3-day Easter truce
  • Trips to foreign countries by Gerry Adams and other Sinn Fein leaders

Sources:

  • The Times, 1994
  • Northern Ireland Office