The IRA has unlocked a door to a political settlement in Northern Ireland by agreeing to appoint a representative to liase with General John de Chastelain on arms decommissioning. As part of a series of confidence building measures, involving the political parties, the two governments, Senator George Mitchell and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, the statement was highly relevant. It is now for the Ulster Unionist Party to seize the opportunity to give effect to the Belfast Agreement in all its aspects by moving towards the establishment of an executive.
In spite of determined efforts by reactionary elements in Northern Ireland to prevent an accommodation between the two communities, the pro-Agreement parties are inching towards a political settlement. It is a fraught time. And there is no guarantee of success. Because of that, all possible support and encouragement should be offered to the political risk-takers while, at the same time, individuals should make their own contributions to the creation of a positive atmosphere. President McAleese addressed the kernel of this issue last Tuesday when she urged the people of Northern Ireland to take responsibility for their future, rather than leave matters in the hands of politicians. Everybody, she told Northern students, should contribute towards making the peace process work, rather than hand over responsibility to someone else.
The IRA statement was terse and tightly focused, offering nothing in terms of explanation or contextual elaboration. That said, it made a number of key assertions. Firstly, that the IRA was unequivocally committed to the search for peace; secondly, that the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement would contribute to the achievement of lasting peace; thirdly, it endorsed the leadership provided by Sinn Fein during the current process and, finally, it agreed to nominate a representative to enter into discussions with General de Chastelain and the International Commission on Decommissioning in order to enhance the peace process.
Already, there are those - within and outside of the unionist community - who complain of a lack of certainty about the IRA's intentions. They are suspicious of the delay in appointing a representative to liase with General de Chastelain until after the Northern Ireland executive has been established and they assert there is no definitive commitment to decommissioning. But nothing else was expected. The IRA statement is the outcome of ten weeks of painstaking negotiations involving Senator Mitchell and the two governments and it must be read in conjunction with undertakings given by Sinn Fein.
Sinn Fein and the IRA are different sides of the same coin. When they assert that the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement will lead to a lasting peace and agree to co-operate with the Commission on Decommissioning - before the Ulster Unionist Party formally commits itself to the deal - that is the nuts and bolts of confidence building. This step by step process now requires Mr David Trimble to make the next major advance through the formation of an executive. There is nothing to be gained by either organisation failing to deliver on its commitments, given that both seek the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement. As the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, observed last night: this is a golden opportunity to make progress. The IRA may have unlocked the door with its statement, but it is now up to the pro-Agreement parties to throw it wide open.