2 December 1999 Edition
A time for hope
These have been turbulent days indeed. The peace process has been marked by interminable delays, punctuated by short bursts of movement. Only a week or two ago, we had no idea if the Mitchell review even had a chance of succeeding.
This week, however, we have witnessed a roadrunner-type sprint by comparison with the rest of the year. In the space of a few days, the Ulster Unionists have, albeit with the bad grace of a new precondition, agreed to move the process forward by at last taking their positions on the Executive. As you read this paper, power will have been devolved from Westminster, the institutions are ready to roll, and two Sinn Féin ministers are settling into their respective departments. The new dispensation that Gerry Adams has been talking about for so long looks like it has a chance of coming to fruition.
The weeks and months to come will see many potential pitfalls, the most pressing of which is the UUP's latest decommissioning ultimatum, but Sinn Féin is well equipped to cope with whatever challenges come our way.
The party's revolutionary politics have taken us to this historic compromise, a deal that leaves more than enough room for our able and committed politicians, backed by a swelling vote throughout this island, to implement radical policies for change and to move towards our ultimate objective of a united Ireland.
This week, however, we have witnessed a roadrunner-type sprint by comparison with the rest of the year. In the space of a few days, the Ulster Unionists have, albeit with the bad grace of a new precondition, agreed to move the process forward by at last taking their positions on the Executive. As you read this paper, power will have been devolved from Westminster, the institutions are ready to roll, and two Sinn Féin ministers are settling into their respective departments. The new dispensation that Gerry Adams has been talking about for so long looks like it has a chance of coming to fruition.
The weeks and months to come will see many potential pitfalls, the most pressing of which is the UUP's latest decommissioning ultimatum, but Sinn Féin is well equipped to cope with whatever challenges come our way.
The party's revolutionary politics have taken us to this historic compromise, a deal that leaves more than enough room for our able and committed politicians, backed by a swelling vote throughout this island, to implement radical policies for change and to move towards our ultimate objective of a united Ireland.