Sir, - We extend our sympathy to the injured and their families, and to others who have borne the cost of the acts of violence in Lisburn. We know that violence begets violence and fear destroys trust, the oxygen of the democratic process. As a consequence, hope for a positive outcome from the multi party talks has diminished for now.
We need to look deeper for a way forward. We like to blame our politicians for lack of progress; we also refuse to allow them pay the price for peace. We unionists fear that we will lose all. We nationalists fear we will not get enough. We all remain stuck, and our politicians have no room to move.
We all have to change in this country, and not wait until someone else changes first. That change will happen as each of us takes the initiative to build relationships of trust across the divide. We need a "safe" place, where neither side will feel it is under attack, where we can meet to listen to one another's story.
With such listening comes understanding, and the seeds of trust are sown in strengthening the network of trust between our communities, we all can contribute to political progress and a lasting peace. - Yours, etc.,
(Leader, the Corrymeela
Community),
8 Upper Crescent,
Belfast, BTY INT.