The
day the Bailiwicks met the peace process Deaglan de Breadun witnesses what
may be the last of the `defining moments' in the implementation of the Belfast
Agreement
From IRISH TIMES December 18th, 1999
It was the day Bergerac joined the peace process. The television detective
from the Channel Islands could not be there in person, but his political
representatives came along to play their part at the inaugural meeting in
London of the British-Irish Council. Their titles were unusual, at least
in the British and Irish contexts: Senator Pierre Horsfall represented what
is officially known as the Bailiwick of Jersey, and Conseillor Laurie Morgan
spoke on behalf of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Little did John Hume and Gerry Adams know, when they started that discreet
series of conversations in early 1988, how far-reaching the political and
constitutional effects would be. Despite their exotic titles, these Channel
Islands folk talk a lot of sense. Conseillor (the same as councillor) Morgan
told of a system where there were no political parties, no ministers, just
57 representatives elected by 60,000 people. The public finances were run
with the same common sense and fiscal prudence as a family budget.
Well might Tony Blair remark afterwards: "We'll all be adopting Guernsey as a model from now on." Ireland may, in nationalist historiography, have
endured 800 years of oppression, but Senator Horsfall told the Lancaster
House audience that Jersey had enjoyed 800 years of autonomy. Jersey had
seldom had the chance to take part in anything historic, but the island
looked forward to hosting a meeting of the new council, as specified in
the ground rules. And then the little dig: "I will ask the Prime Minister to cancel his next holiday in Tuscany." Inwardly Tony Blair may have said "Ouch!", but outwardly he grinned like the true professional that he is.
The Isle of Man's Chief Minister, Mr Donald Gelling, pointed out that his
homeland had experienced more than 1,000 years of continuous parliamentary
government. On a day when little or no Irish was heard (although there were
generous dollops of Welsh from First Secretary Alun Michael), Mr Gelling
broke into Manx to pray "Dy bannee Jee ny eabyn ain (May God bless our endeavours)".
Now all these places, which have been at peace for the past 50 years, are
united in the same body as storm-tossed Northern Ireland. It all added to
what David Trimble called "the charm of this occasion". Ruritania meets
the peace process.
The British-Irish Council is known as "BIC" for short, which makes it sound
like a particular make of ballpoint pen, but the original title, "Council of the Isles" was rejected as too unionist. One London official was calling
it the "British Industry Council". Mr Trimble was skating on thin ice yesterday
when, flanked by his nationalist other half, Seamus Mallon, he referred
to the BIC members as being part of the "British Isles". The SDLP won't
put up with that for long: maybe they can cut a deal - David stops talking
about the British Isles if Seamus stops referring to "the North of Ireland".
A press release from the British Cabinet Office was more tactful, merely
referring to the BIC as a gathering of representatives of "all the islands".
Although the word "historic" appeared in the text of Trimble's speech, he
refused to actually say it. Since he failed to use the term yesterday, it
is difficult to see when there will be another opportunity. The main institutions
are up and running - the Civic Forum will take another few months - and,
from now on, defining moments and the like will be in short supply. Mr Peter
Mandelson was there, but did not talk to the news media. Some routine comments
of his about the Patten report on policing had been "splashed" on the front
page of a London daily, so maybe he was wise to keep a low profile.
And there was no sign of Bobby, his pet dog. Perhaps the Northern Secretary
has learnt the Hollywood maxim, that you cannot compete with animals and
children. The various representatives were greeted personally at the front
door by Mr Blair. There was a handshake for Bairbre de Brun; the first time
in public for Downing Street and Sinn Fein. Tony looked towards the cameras,
as though not entirely sure he was doing the right thing. The Trimble-Adams
handshake cannot be far away now, but presumably not before the Ulster Unionist
Council meeting in February. |
