31 July 1997 Edition
A touch of realism
So, we have a new ceasefire. Touch of deja vu or what? Certainly the announcement of it wasn't greeted with the same wild scenes of jubilation as those which heralded the announcement of the previous one of August 1994, which is no bad thing. I remember that one clearly. It must be like that question, ``Where were you and what were you doing when you learned John F Kennedy had been shot?'' Well, I was in my home decorating the living room when the first ceasefire was announced. I got a phone-call to tell me there was to be a cavalcade from Connolly House and would I meet up with a friend to go on it. I said no. It wasn't simply that I was covered in paint by this stage and a good scrubbing would be required before I went anywhere but I just didn't feel that the thing I most wanted to do at that precise moment was to go on a cavalcade, to celebrate what? What was there to celebrate? If we had been told Brits had just announced their intention to withdraw from Ireland and whin a specific time period (no matter how long) I would have taken the paint tins along with me to Connolly house and chucked them at Andytown barracks on the way past. Bravery comes with such announcements. But no. The announcement was that the IRA had called a cessation of all military operations. That was fine by me. I had long since given up the notion that the Brits would ever come out with such a declaration as that mentioned above. Things like that just don't happen any more, not in this part of the world, not in this age. Movement is much more subtle. There are no dramatic moments. Words mean different things to different people and in the end don't mean a lot. It's the processes behind them that count. So, no I wasn't overcome with joy at the announcement.
I'm glad therefore that the announcement of the lates cessation has not been greeted with similar scenes of jubilation. That shouldn't be interpreted as gloom. Quite the opposite. It's just that jubilation brings with it unrealistic hopes. Speaking to a friend out from prison fro a few days some months ago he commented that it was a good thing all round that the Brits had not moved on the first cessation as the whole chain of events which followed its announcement had politicised people to a great extent. That's very clearly true and evidenced in the vote for Sinn Féin in elections and the generally accepted opinion, not just within the republican base, that the Brits were to blame for the breakdown of the ceasefire.
This time people know there is no such thing as a permanent cessation of hostilities by any one group and that the only thing that will ensure a lasting peace is dialogue, negotiation, compromises, shifts in opinion and an end to the causes of conflict. This time the business community, the trade unions, the church leaders, the peace groups, the media and everyone who hailed the August `94 cessation as the start of a new beginning and then went on with their lives as if they had no part to play in the maintenance of that cessation are now much more aware of the need for them to play an active role. Energies that were put into jumping onto the gravy train from Europe which followed the `94 cessation will now have to be diverted into much more productive enterprises. Time will tell if their words do mean anything or if they re simply considered the right words to say at the appropriate time.
A few short weeks ago, following events on the Garvaghy Road, it looked as if we were heading into the same familiar cycle of events. That was a comfortable feeling for some, not necessarily becasue they like violence and bloodshed but because it makes them feel secure. Secure in the knowledge that things have remained the same. But they never do, thankfully. No one knows what the next few months hold for all of us except fears and expectations but that's a positive development if nothing else because at least minds will be focused. That will e a new experience for some especially for those who believe that words don't really have to mean anything.
I'm glad therefore that the announcement of the lates cessation has not been greeted with similar scenes of jubilation. That shouldn't be interpreted as gloom. Quite the opposite. It's just that jubilation brings with it unrealistic hopes. Speaking to a friend out from prison fro a few days some months ago he commented that it was a good thing all round that the Brits had not moved on the first cessation as the whole chain of events which followed its announcement had politicised people to a great extent. That's very clearly true and evidenced in the vote for Sinn Féin in elections and the generally accepted opinion, not just within the republican base, that the Brits were to blame for the breakdown of the ceasefire.
This time people know there is no such thing as a permanent cessation of hostilities by any one group and that the only thing that will ensure a lasting peace is dialogue, negotiation, compromises, shifts in opinion and an end to the causes of conflict. This time the business community, the trade unions, the church leaders, the peace groups, the media and everyone who hailed the August `94 cessation as the start of a new beginning and then went on with their lives as if they had no part to play in the maintenance of that cessation are now much more aware of the need for them to play an active role. Energies that were put into jumping onto the gravy train from Europe which followed the `94 cessation will now have to be diverted into much more productive enterprises. Time will tell if their words do mean anything or if they re simply considered the right words to say at the appropriate time.
A few short weeks ago, following events on the Garvaghy Road, it looked as if we were heading into the same familiar cycle of events. That was a comfortable feeling for some, not necessarily becasue they like violence and bloodshed but because it makes them feel secure. Secure in the knowledge that things have remained the same. But they never do, thankfully. No one knows what the next few months hold for all of us except fears and expectations but that's a positive development if nothing else because at least minds will be focused. That will e a new experience for some especially for those who believe that words don't really have to mean anything.