A Letter From Ireland
a Chara,
This weekend, thirty years ago, the Irish Republican Army announced a complete cessation of military operations. Their statement on the day stated, “We believe that an opportunity to secure a just and lasting settlement has been created.”
This was a momentous decision. I remember the day well. There was a nervous energy in the air; a mixture of hope and uncertainty. The IRA campaign had lasted 25 years. The longest period of continuous conflict in the history of Ireland. My generation had been born into a society at war.
It was our reality. The normality of everyday life included British Army foot patrols and armored personnel carriers on the streets, listening for the distinctive whine of heavy diesel engines, metal doors slamming and boots slapping the ground, routine humiliations of stop and search by the RUC as they poked and prodded physically and verbally, checking the news every hour on the hour, visiting gaols and marching in protests.
Between all of this, we lived the lives of children and teenagers. Growing up, making friends, making mistakes, falling in love, eliciting drinks, and having the craic.
August 31, 1994 changed everything. A new reality was born. The ceasefire would break down in February 1996, the British Government of John Major, dependent on Unionist support, squandered the opportunity for progress.
But the rubicon had been crossed.
The new British Government, headed by Tony Blair, with a stable majority moved to get the peace process back on track, and the IRA restored their ceasefire in July 1997.
That ceasefire lasted, the Good Friday Agreement was signed, prisoners were released, a society was demilitarised and weapons were put beyond use. We are at the point where peace has lasted longer than conflict.
Vital to creating the context for the ceasefire was the United States. At the urging of Irish America, President Clinton took the risk for peace, breaking from the British Government, issuing a visa for Gerry Adams, and appointing Special Envoy Senator George Mitchell. US policy in Ireland could no longer be dictated from London.
The process is not complete. Peace is not just the absence of violence. We have much further to travel to secure reconciliation, truth, and justice. The benefits of peace and prosperity have not been felt equally by all communities. Sectarianism, while diminished, is still present.
The Good Friday Agreement is not a settlement but a framework to manage past, present, and future political differences based on equality, rights, peace, and democracy. The constitutional future, continued division or unity, is in the hands of the people.
Back in 1994, I was unsure of what the future held. I was not prepared for the many challenges and frustrations of peacebuilding, but I am confident now that the future is a peaceful pathway to a new and united Ireland. It will require hard work, patience, and generosity but together, we will get there.
Have a great weekend.
Is mise,
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America
