Sinn Fein Leader Discusses Northern Ireland Stalemate

Martin Ferris, a leading negotiator for Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), discussed the recent stalemate in the Northern Ireland peace process at the Kennedy School of Government (KSG) yesterday.

Around 50 people attended Ferris' talk on "The Future as Equals: Making Peace in Northern Ireland," which was sponsored by the KSG's Humans Rights Initiative.

Ferris began his speech with a description of Rosemary Nelson, a Catholic human rights lawyer who was killed in Northern Ireland two days ago. A Protestant guerilla group known as the Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility for an explosion that killed Nelson.

"I hope to do justice to the memory of Rosemary Nelson," Ferris said. "She was a character of tremendous courage."

Ferris then described the history of the peace process in Northern Ireland, his involvement in both the IRA and Sinn Fein and the current state of the peace accord.

"I'm one of those people who took up political violence to affect political change," Ferris said. "I'm ashamed I had to do it, but I'm not ashamed I did it."

Currently, implementation of a government in Belfast separate from London to govern the six counties in Northern Ireland has been delayed until the end of this month due to a dispute over the issue of paramilitary disarmament.

Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, has insisted that the leaders of Sinn Fein be allowed to take up all the seats they are entitled to in the new assembly cabinet.

However, David Trimble, leader of the Ulster Unionists and First Minister of the new Northern Ireland Assembly, said he will not admit them until the IRA agrees to disarm.

Ferris said the peace process is at a delicate stage but could be salvaged.

"I believe that if the [home rule government] is not set up in the coming days, the agreement is doomed, and the consequences of this are too painful for me to contemplate," Ferris said. "However, I remain optimistic that this will not be the case."

Should the peace agreement be implemented, Ferris said he believes that any remaining opposition to the peace accord will dissolve.

"If the agreement is implemented and allowed to function, any public support for wreckers will disappear," Ferris said.

Afterwards, Ferris fielded questions from the audience on topics including acceptable policing policies in Northern Ireland as well as alleged wrongdoings by the IRA and Protestant paramilitary groups.

Ferris said he wanted fair, equitable standards for policing.

"We need a proper policing system which will respect both communities," he said.

Audience members said Ferris' speech helped illuminate the problems in Northern Ireland.

"I found it quite interesting," said Pedro M. Lorenti, a KSG student. "I consider this to be one side of the story."