THE violence in Northern Ireland today, the drive to dominate and the urge to exploit the legitimate right to march for purposes of control over others were insults to the Christian message brought by St Patrick, the Taoiseach said here yesterday.
Mr Bruton was speaking in the White House at the handing over of the traditional bowl of shamrock to the US Vice President, Mr Gore, who was deputising for an injured President Clinton. Mr Bruton said: "The violent politics of the republican movement is bad. The domineering intransigence and blindness to others of some so called unionists in Northern Ireland is bad too. Both should be condemned, first and foremost from within their own communities."
The Taoiseach said he was visiting the US to seek the help of the president, the vice president and all Americans "for the reconstitution of a really honest peace process in Ireland - a peace process and a ceasefire that have no place for the continued targeting of victims, for continued kneecappings or for veiled threats."
This time the Irish people wanted a real ceasefire, one that would last because it would spring from a full acceptance of the logic of peace.
The logic of peace required a change of heart and meant giving up traditional rights of domination. It meant "apologising for Bloody Sunday; also apologising for the Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen" and every shooting, maiming and bombing in the last 27 years.
The logic of peace meant being confident enough to give up the military mind set; the sense of security that came from controlling a neighbourhood through intimidation; and the delusion that peace could ever be compatible with the retention of Kalashnikovs and Semtex.
Mr Gore said in reply that the "historic negotiations" in Belfast, now suspended, offered real hope for achieving a lasting peace. "The Irish and British governments, as well as our own, agree that the talks stand the best chance for success if all elected parties are at the table.
"But violence can have no voice in this process. In order for the talks to be inclusive, the IRA must declare and implement an unequivocal ceasefire. If they do, I believe that Sinn Fein will be invited to participate in the talks."
Mr Gore said that when the talks resume in June "it is important that they move quickly into substantive negotiations. I hope they all return to the table determined to press ahead and I urge all political leaders to do their part to make that happen."
Referring to the impending start of the marching season on Easter Monday, Mr Gore said: "On behalf of the president, let me express the hope that all sides will show restraint this time around. Being proud of one's community is an honourable thing. But people simply have to accept that you cannot define your own greatness by trying to make others small; nor can you honour your own beliefs by trying to prevent others, from worshipping."
For too long the people of Northern Ireland had been partners in pain and sorrow. Now they must seize the opportunity to live as partners in peace.