Pressure on Sinn Fein

In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks on America, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) is now encountering a more resolute, determined opposition. This past Saturday, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader David Trimble delivered an ultimatum to Sinn Fein, the IRA’s political wing. Trimble announced that unless the paramilitary group began “a credible process of decommissioning” its weapons in accordance with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the UUP would withdraw its three ministers from the executive and abandon Northern Ireland’s unstable alliance government.

Trimble said that the UUP would first propose a measure in the Stormont Assembly to ban Sinn Fein members from government. However, such exclusionary motions need to be supported by both a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists. It is unlikely that the moderate, pro-independence Social Democratic Labor Party (SDLP) would join with unionists to oust Sinn Fein, especially with party leader John Hume planning to retire in November. Therefore, the UUP is set to leave the coalition if the IRA does not relinquish its weapons.

Trimble should be applauded for his resolute approach to the peace process. Although unionists have regularly made concessions to Sinn Fein and the IRA since the ’98 accord, these moves have not been reciprocated. The agreement mandated that all terrorist weapons had to be decommissioned by June 2001, yet the IRA has made no tangible moves towards fulfilling this obligation. Indeed, the organization rescinded its offer of a weapons handover this past August, contending that it was negotiating with General John de Chastelain’s Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. Unionists were understandably upset over the IRA’s brazen disregard of the Good Friday Agreement’s protocol. Trimble argued that while the UUP had “supported an inclusive system” and “given republicans the opportunity to participate…it was on the basis that they carry out their obligations under the Agreement. They haven’t done that and sooner or later we have to say: ‘That’s it.’”

Trimble’s words reinforce the no-nonsense stance on terrorism that has recently engulfed the international community. Now is not the time to accept the IRA’s hollow calls for decommissioning “talks.” Action is needed.

In his national address last week, President George W. Bush sent a clear message to the nations who harbor or deliberate with terrorists: “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.” Trimble has obviously received this message and acted upon it. He correctly noted that the UUP could no longer remain part of a government which featured a terrorist-controlled party, saying, “It would be impossible for UUP ministers to continue participating in government with Sinn Fein; we couldn’t do so with credibility, we will not do so.”

As far as the IRA goes, a disarmament initiative would serve as a gesture of good will towards the United States and its upcoming war on terrorism. From a regional perspective, it would help Sinn Fein establish a greater degree of trust with Trimble’s party and also prevent a collapse of the volatile coalition government in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has cautioned that “the politics of pressure against the IRA is counterproductive.” It remains to be seen whether or not disarmament is a legitimate possibility.

The Ulster Unionists have stood firm against the desires of terrorists and sought to uphold the tenuous peace agreements of 1998. Trimble’s demands of the IRA are more than reasonable. As he stressed on Saturday, “The promise was made that they would put weapons beyond use. There is a procedure, there is a decommissioning commission, there is legislation, there is a decommissioning scheme.”

Now it is up to Sinn Fein. Its leaders can either make a pragmatic decision based on mutual cooperation, or they can reaffirm their alliance with the forces of terror.