Arms vote threatens to stall N. Ireland peace talks
July 22, 1997
Web posted at: 12:37 p.m. EDT (1637 GMT)LONDON (CNN) -- Hard-liners in Northern Ireland's pro-British majority toughened their stance against joining Irish Republican Army supporters at the peace table on Tuesday, one day before a critical vote that could help determine whether the IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, is allowed to participate in the talks.
The Rev. Ian Paisley, leader of the uncompromising Democratic Unionist Party, said he intended never to meet "IRA-Sinn Fein terrorists" across the table. He called on David Trimble, the leader of the largest party, the Ulster Unionists, to join him in voting Wednesday against a joint British-Irish document outlining how the IRA would start disarming during the negotiations.
His statements came after an hour-long meeting in London with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Protestants, including Trimble, are concerned that the agreement's wording was watered down to appease the IRA.
The nine parties that started negotiating last year were scheduled to vote Wednesday on ground rules for the next phase of the peace talks.
The British and Irish governments want the IRA to disarm during the talks. There is no guarantee written into the document requiring the British government to kick Sinn Fein out of the talks if the IRA does not disarm by a specific date.
While Paisley and United Kingdom Unionist leader Bob McCartney say they will never talk to Sinn Fein and are certain to vote "no" Wednesday, Trimble kept open the possibility, "provided that we have clear commitments made and a clear procedure to achieve decommissioning (arms)."
A combined unionist vote against the plans could upset a timetable for political progress.
But British Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam indicated optimism that the peace talks would move ahead, regardless of the vote on IRA decommissioning.
"Everybody is determined -- and Mr. Trimble has made it clear that he won't walk even if he votes against the decommissioning paper -- to continue to move forward," she said.
Blair aims to start such talks by September 15. Britain says Sinn Fein will be admitted to the talks if the IRA truce is deemed genuine by that date.
Sinn Fein gets office space
Sinn Fein reaped the first reward for the IRA cease-fire on Monday by finally gaining admission to Stormont, the center of British administration in east Belfast. An office equipped with telephones and a fax machine was waiting for the party, courtesy of the British government. It had been set aside when the talks began in June 1996.
Sinn Fein can use the office to talk informally with anyone who is willing. On Monday they used it to meet with some potential allies, including Irish Foreign Minister Ray Burke, leading the Irish government team, and leaders of Sinn Fein's moderate rival for Catholic votes, the Social Democratic and Labor Party.
Sinn Fein's enemies made clear their distaste for the gesture. Paisley's Democratic Unionists avoided Stormont entirely, while the small United Kingdom Unionist Party walked out as soon as Sinn Fein came in.
The IRA called a cease-fire on Sunday in its 28-year war against British rule.
Protestant parties are angry that Britain is opening the door to Sinn Fein while the guerrillas remain armed and have refused to say the cease-fire is permanent.
- Newsmaker Profile: Tony Blair - British Prime Minister
- Newsmaker Profile: Gerry Adams - Sinn Fein leader
- Message Board: The conflict in Northern Ireland
Related stories:
- Sinn Fein enters Irish peace talks venue - July 21, 1997
- IRA cease-fire takes effect - July 20, 1997
- IRA urged to renew cease-fire after march canceled - July 11, 1997
- Catholic rage, violence in Northern Ireland streets - July 7, 1997
- Northern Ireland march prompts renewed rioting, suspicions - July 6, 1997
Related sites:
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- Sinn Fein Home Page - official party page; includes documents, press releases, and party objectives
- The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland - Protestant fraternity with members throughout the world
- Ulster Democratic Unionist Party Home Page
- The Irish Times Home Page
- Royal Ulster Constabulary - the police force of Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland Information Centre
- Northern Ireland Government Home Page
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