Sir. With the elections over and the "Talks" (at time of writing) hopefully about to begin. We all will wait with hope that our politicians can Finally reach an agreement acceptable to the majority of both traditions in Northern Ireland. We do not envy our politicians in the difficult task that lies ahead of them but we hope they will show restraint, statesmanship and consideration for the difficulties of the others around them. Personally I feel the settlement is attainable but ultimately a long way off.
In the past few months I have often heard it expressed that "settlement" is required to provide a "long lasting peace". I would take issue with this statement. Any objective analysis of the situation in Northern Ireland clearly shows that while there is plenty to argue about there is absolutely nothing which justifies someone taking another person's life.
Throughout April and May of this year I was involved in helping organise the Peace International rugby match which took place on May 18th. It was about a game of rugby, about raising money for charity but most importantly of all it was about peace. It was also the most emotional period of my life. Twenty seven years of frustration and sadness welled to the surface as I was reminded, if as a policeman's son I ever needed reminding, of the great tragedy that has taken place in our beautiful country. So many have suffered either directly or indirectly through the "Troubles". We have all been scarred to a greater or lesser degree. Yet part of that emotion leading up to the match was caused by the realisation of the tremendous kindness and courage of the people on both parts of the island.
To me it underlined a number of important factors that should be paramount in guiding us towards the future. The first is that we should never allow ourselves to forget the tragedy of all who have suffered. We owe it to them to ensure that the "Troubles" do not continue and violence as a method of resolving disputes on this island is discarded for ever. Three people have died as a result of terrorist activity since the cease fire broke down, each death bringing nothing but sorrow to those closest to them. We cannot afford to be equivocal about violence, it achieves nothing, As the saying goes, an eye for eye leaves everyone blind".
The second is that instead of concentrating on the negatives it is time we built on the great positives that have emerged in our society and work to improve on them. On the legal side, amongst other developments, there is the anti discrimination legislation working to create equality of opportunity. Many of our local district councils are power sharing, showing the great benefits of co operation. Integrated education is growing and hopefully with the realisation of the good it can achieve in crossing the divisions between our communities it will extend to cover many more of our schools. In areas such as sport, the arts, the charitable and many caring fields, and even at the general community level, people of all backgrounds and beliefs have worked together For the well being of all.
Then there was the impact of the ceasefire. Suddenly Northern Ireland was normal, the troops left the streets, the helicopters stopped buzzing over West Belfast, even the weather improved.
We all began to realise just how lucky we were to live in such a beautiful country and with tremendous people. I was again reminded of what a great place Northern Ireland is. With peace, we could encourage industry to invest again in Northern Ireland bringing employment to those areas which need it most. The reality of peace was also the continuing normalisation of Northern Ireland. Many prisoners would have been released though not those guilty of more serious offences. An amnesty for many terrorist related offences would have occurred and with the decommissioning of weapons by the various terrorist organisations, the troops would have left Northern Ireland and the RUC would be well on its way to adjusting its operations to mirror any regional police force in the UK.
There are many problems ahead of us but with peace, not a settlement, we can start ensuring that our children do not have to go through another 27 years of violence. There is a duty on each, of us, and not only on our politicians to do what we can now to address areas of conflict and to learn to understand the other point of view. However, the atmosphere might change if the next Orange parade down the Ormeau Road stopped for a minute's silence outside "Sean Graham's Bookmakers" and laid a wreath in memory of the great tragedy that occurred there and similar gestures were made by all sides at the sites of other atrocities. The GAA could remove the ban on the security forces so opening the game up to one million Protestants who up to now have shied away from the sport and our churches could work for a formula so that integrated education would become achievable, and the norm. This act in itself could do more to secure a peaceful future than any other. We have a lot of rebuilding to do. The list of areas is endless but now is the time to start as we owe it to our children and to those as yet unborn.
It should be remembered that there are no winners through violence, The dead IRA man's mother grieves as much for the loss of her son as does the UVF man's. Each side may never be beaten but equally the reality is that they will never win. To the men of violence the door is open for you to try and reconcile your differences with your fellow citizens. We all hope you walk through it. Should you fail to do so then your fellow citizens may never forgive you and in that instance I would hope and expect that the judgment of the rest of the world will rest heavily on your shoulders and that joint action between the respective governments in these isles will be brought to bear on you. The choice is yours. - Yours, etc.,
Belmont Road,
Belfast.