Sir, - I wish to comment on the remarks made recently by Mr Bertie Ahern TD, in relation to the role of the Government in Peace Process. Mr Ahern seems to have come in for some criticism over his recent comments from the Taoiseach as well as from the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, who accused him in his comment of giving comfort to paramilitaries.
I would contend that the present situation involving continued IRA violence is in large measure attributable to the Government's lack of willingness to engage Sinn Fein and rebuild the nationalist consensus. Following many months of revelations as to how the previous cease fire was brought about it is clear that the IRA's totally unarmed strategy option was pursued because for the first time since the State's foundation a consensus of opinion existed between all the nationalist parties on the island. That consensus, coupled with the involvement of the US administration, provided Mr Adams with the formulae to obtain a ceasefire agreement from the IRA.
The Taoiseach and the Government must surely see that the previous cease fire did not take place of its own initiative, but rather as a result of many contacts behind the scenes as well as public indications that the republican movement and its aspiration would be entertained in the context of political negotiations set against the background of a cease fire. Following the remarks made by one of the loyalist spokesmen that their cease fire was being jeopardised by the continued level of IRA activity it is all the more urgent that the Government rebuild the agreement between nationalists on the island in order to obtain an end to the violence of recent months.
I noticed that the response of the Government to Mr Ahern's remarks was that they had negotiated a date for all party talks beginning on June 10th. What was more telling as to the Government's attitude in relation to the talks was the view of Mr Fergus Finlay, the Government's most senior adviser on foreign affairs, when he said, without Sinn Fein, the talks are not worth a penny candle. This bears out what Mr Ahern is saying as well as the frustration he feels with the process. - Yours, etc.,
Moreen Road,
Sandyford,
Dublin 16.