THE NORTH’S Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has given the strongest indication yet he is prepared to meet Queen Elizabeth, who is expected to visit Northern Ireland this summer.
Mr McGuinness said republicans needed to “consider making new compromises”, when he addressed an Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe conference on the peace process in Dublin yesterday.
Reconciliation between the republican community and the “British state” would not be easy but it was essential, he added.
“Republicans inflicted much hurt during the conflict, and hurt was inflicted upon republicans, but if we are to build a new future it is necessary and it is a road that I am not afraid to go down.”
Asked by reporters if he would meet the queen, Mr McGuinness did not answer directly but said progress had been made in Northern Ireland because politicians had been prepared to compromise.
“Compromise for me in our peace process is not a dirty word. Big challenges will lie ahead for all of us. Am I big enough to rise to challenges? Absolutely.”
During the queen’s visit to the Republic last May, Sinn Féin did not take part in the associated ceremonies and Mr McGuinness declined an invitation to attend the Dublin Castle function.
The North’s First Minister Peter Robinson told reporters he believed Mr McGuinness should meet the queen.
“I think it would be a step that should be taken. Many years ago of course I made the gesture of meeting the head of State here in the Irish Republic. Meeting the President of the Irish Republic is now something that people will take in their stride in Northern Ireland,” said Mr Robinson.
“And I think you’ll find that if he meets Her Majesty it will become a norm and meeting members of the royal family will become part of the everyday fabric of political life.”
Earlier, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore told international delegates at the conference that the peace process in the North showed that a shared future could be forged from a seemingly intractable situation. “Ireland’s story is one of the impossible made possible. I hope it is one that will inspire those striving for peace beyond this island,” siad Mr Gilmore.
US secretary of state Hillery Clinton, in a video message to the conference, said it was important to consider the important role women played in resolving conflicts. Mrs Clinton said women could be “powerful mediators” who could build coalitions.
The conference was moderated by the former president of Finland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Martti Ahtisaari, and was also addressed by George Mitchell, former United States special envoy for Northern Ireland, and British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson.
