Ulster owes Mitchell debt of gratitude
From NEWS LETTER November 19th, 1999
PRO-AGREEMENT parties gathered at Stormont yesterday for the conclusion
of George Mitchell's review struck precisely the right note, setting aside
their differences and paying tribute to the negotiating skills of the American
Senator who has played a pivotal role in nudging them towards agreement
in the past few years. The people of Northern Ireland owe him a debt of
gratitude. He could easily have taken the view that he had done his bit
in the search for peace when the Good Friday Agreement was signed. He even
wrote a book about it. After the drama of the past 10 weeks and an outcome
which provides equally historic opportunities for the people of the Province,
he may be forced to consider a sequel! At various stages of the review a
positive outcome seemed improbable, if not impossible, but the Senator stuck
to his task. The result is that today it is much easier to see how the Agreement
can be implemented in full, with honour satisfied on all sides. More than
that it is also possible for the people of the Province to ponder the real
possibility of sworn political enemies working together for the common good.
The statements released by the UUP and Sinn Fein, if taken at face value,
have effectively changed the nature of political relationships in this corner
of the United Kingdom, and if both sides honour their commitments, then
it really does become possible to contemplate a future in which ancient
hatreds and enmities are set aside, political violence really is over and
done with for all time, and those in positions of power put the people first.
There is much hard work to be done, of course, before the dream can become
reality. UUP leader David Trimble will have to display all the skills he
brought to the Mitchell Review to convince his party's grassroots that he
has secured the best deal possible. In the next week it is vital that the
voice of civic unionism makes itself heard above the cacophony of defiance
which will grow in volume as the week progresses. In considering what is
on the table, unionists should ask themselves who has gained most from the
Mitchell negotiations. David Trimble went into the talks determined that
they would result in devolution and the start of a decommissioning process.
Sinn Fein wanted one of these things but not the other. Both are now virtually
certain to take place in a very short space of time. Given all possible
outcomes, it is little wonder that both Mr Mitchell and Secretary of State
Peter Mandelson felt it necessary yesterday to acknowledge the negotiating
skills of the UUP leader and his determination to drive the hardest of bargains
for the unionist people. |
