SINN FEIN reiterated its commitment to its peace strategy and gave a qualified welcome to the approach of the new British government at the party's annual Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown, Co Kildare, yesterday. The oration was given by Mr Martin McGuinness, the party's MP for MidUlster.
While positive about the British government's approach, he suggested the heritage of the last years of the Major administration made it difficult to convince sceptical elements of the movement about the new government's good faith.
In particular, decommissioning was identified as the single greatest obstacle to a renewed ceasefire. But Mr McGuinness expressed optimism that this and other obstacles could be overcome.
Referring to the party's recent electoral victories, he said: "A vote for Sinn Fein is a vote for our political analysis that British domination and injustice should end and for our proven commitment to our peace strategy. A vote for Sinn Fein is a vote for peace."
He acknowledged the widespread dismay which followed the shooting of two RUC officers in Lurgan a week ago: "We are all living through difficult times. The killing of two RUC men in Lurgan last Monday, the ongoing campaign of the British Crown forces, the firebombing of the homes of prison warders, the bomb beneath the car of Sinn Fein councillor James McCarry and the loyalist attack yesterday are all potent and tragic reminders this week of the conflict which has engulfed our people for three decades.
"They are also reminders that there are no cessations in place by any of the armed groups.
He went on to "seek to give some measure of reassurance".
This Sinn Fein leadership is not giving up on our peace strategy. We are not giving up on the search for a permanent end to conflict and a lasting peace settlement
This British government appears to be taking up a position and approach which is an advance on the position adopted by the last British government.
"However, the distrust created by the bad faith engagement of the John Major administration is so pervasive that the next phase must be built on a very solid foundation indeed. This needs to be done without delay. It requires everyone to take risks and this includes Mr Blair."
While welcoming the new government's "change of style" he rejected totally "Tony Blair's proUnion position as outlined in his Belfast speech. How can he say that he will not even negotiate `sensible arrangements for cooperation' with the 26 Counties if unionists feel threatened?"
But these matters must be issues for negotiation, he said. "But obstacles to these negotiations have not yet been cleared away. And there cannot be real negotiations until they are. . Let me also say that this British government has addressed, in varying degrees the four issues which are central to that.
"Sinn Fein is taking a positive approach to all of this ... especially in regard to the decommissioning issue. Decommissioning has not yet been removed as an obstacle in the negotiations. This remains the biggest stumbling block to forward movement.
"Decommissioning is an important issue to be addressed as part of a negotiating process. But it needs to be removed as an obstacle so that it can no longer be employed to block negotiations, now or in the future."
He called for the "injection of confidence" into the situation, to help overcome the mistrust resulting from the policy of the last British government. "This British government has made broad comments on confidence building. This needs to be given substance and detail." He called for Sinn Fein's mandate, especially in the light of its increased vote, to be recognised. He also reiterated Sinn Fein's recognition of unionist fears "of their culture and traditions being subsumed in a united Ireland" and stressed that a "new Ireland" could not be built "without those sections of the Irish nation who see themselves as unionists or loyalists".
Referring again to the Lurgan attack, he said: "In all conflict resolution situations there are always low points. It would be easy to give up when things get tough. But those of us who are determined to see this process through to a successful and peaceful conclusion must never despair."