Abortion issue provokes most passionate debate

THE ardfheis passed more than 100 motions on subjects such as the peace process, policing, prisoners and the economy, but it was abortion which again provoked the longest and most passionate argument.

A pro choice motion from the Maghaberry women's prisoners group would have been softened somewhat by a proposed ardchomhairle amendment, but both were resoundingly defeated after a sometimes bitter debate.

Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain, Monaghan, led the opposition when he said the issue could create "serious disaffection" in the party ranks and that "comrades would be deluding themselves if they believe there is even the faintest chance of acceptance for this policy among the membership".

His views were neither "retarded, reactionary nor right wing", he added. He respected the sincerely held views of those with opposite opinions and he accepted that women had the right to control their own fertility, "but I reject the view that abortion is an acceptable method of birth controls."

Owen Smyth, also Monaghan, said he was appalled at the lack of judgment shown by the party leaders on the issue. "I am a political animal and I know the temperature of the waters, and to adopt this motion would be political suicide," he said.

Proposing the motion, Ms Mary Anne Campbell had placed the issue in the context of "endorsing women's right to selfdetermination".

She said that republicans were used to oppression but republican women had "the added burden of legislation which prevents us from taking decisions affecting our own bodies."

Speakers from rural areas repeatedly argued that they could not "sell" this motion in their constituencies, and Ms Margaret O'Callaghan from Crossmaglen urged delegates to reject the motion irrespective of your personal views".

But ardchomhairle member Ms Anne Speed said it was inaccurate to portray the issue as one of city versus country. It crossed all boundaries, she said.

The ardfheis accepted an ardchomhairle amendment that would allow the party to enter the proposed elections on an abstentionist footing. Successive speakers said Sinn Fein had "no fear" of elections, but Mr Martin McGuinness said the party would talk to the SDLP before making any decision.

"Our preference is for non participation in both the election and the elected body, but we need to put this to the SDLP to seek their support for such an approach," he said.

The party passed a motion condemning the "continued harassment and besetting of republicans by Special Branch gardai", and delegates were invited to record instances of harassment during this weekend for an official complaint.

Mr O Caolain said he had personally witnessed such activity in the areas around the ardfheis venue. "This does not happen to other parties and at other ardfheiseanna and it is not acceptable," he said.

Abortion aside, there was little criticism of the leadership. One exception to this came from Mr Aonghus O Snodaigh, who asked how the party could reaffirm itself to a peace strategy which had failed. The peace process had pushed the movement forward a little, he believed, but at a cost.

"The last two years have been like an episode of Fawlty Towers - the one about don't mention the war. We want Brits out, we want a united Ireland ... so why are we compromising ourselves before we even get to the negotiating table?"

There was muted disapproval of the attendance of the party president, Mr Gerry Adams, at the New York St Patrick's Day parade. During a debate in which delegates adopted a policy paper on equality for gays and lesbians, it was pointed out that the New York parade had a bad record on the issue and Mr Adams's involvement was an example of the ways in which the party could be compromised by political expediency.

But Mr Adams was defended by the party chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, the party president had gone on the record in his support for the rights of gays and lesbians.