Good Friday pact the best bet: Clinton

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, MAY 25.The former U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, has warned that the collapse of the peace process in Northern Ireland could have terrible consequences and appealed to all parties in the province not to turn their back on the Good Friday agreement saying it remains the best chance for lasting peace even if it has not worked to the satisfaction of everyone.

In a stark warning, he reminded them of the bloodshed in West Asia as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and said this is ``what happens when people give up on the peace process....when people give in to their frustrations that it did not all work out like they wanted it to, or that they didn't get 100 per cent of what they wanted''.

His remarks at a large rally in Londonderry came amid growing anxiety over the future of the Good Friday agreement as parties opposed to it look poised to do well in next month's local and general elections, widely seen as a referendum on the peace process.

This is Mr. Clinton's first visit to Northern Ireland since he laid down office in January and his appeal is expected to have a sobering effect even if it doesn't lead to a breakthrough in the stalled peace process.

He acknowledged that the Good Friday Agreement had not delivered everything to everyone but pointed out that things had changed for the better in the wake of the agreement.

``I know not everything that was supposed to happen has happened. I know not every provision of the Good Friday accord has been implemented. I know people on both sides have concerns, fears and frustrations. But consider where you are now to where you were then. Don't turn back, stay with the path of peace, the agreement you voted for.''

The Sinn Fein president, Mr. Gerry Adams, and his nationalist rival, Mr. John Hume, of the Social and Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) shared the platform with Mr. Clinton , signifying their endorsement of the former President's appeal.

Later, speaking elsewhere, Mr. Adams declared his party's commitment to the peace process and claimed that the anti- agreement elements had no chance of winning the elections. ``We are totally committed to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in all its aspects. It is our contract with the people, and like every other contract we have entered into, we will honour it,'' he said.

The peace process is stalled because of competing demands by Republicans, represented by Sinn Fein, and the nationalists led by the Ulster Unionists with both accusing the other of not delivering on their commitments.

While Sinn Fein wants the British security presence in the province to be significantly reduced and Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) to be reformed more radically than Westminster is prepared to do, the Ulster Unionists are insisting on arms decommissioning by IRA, the paramilitary wing of Sinn Fein.

Both sides are calling their demands a precondition for any further movement on the Good Friday Agreement.

The Ulster Unionist chief,, Mr. David Trimble, has decided to resign as first minister of the power-sharing executive - in effect the local government - if the IRA does not start the process of laying down arms by July 1.

Observers said Mr. Clinton's appeal was directed at both sides when he warned of the consequences of competitive belligerence.

``That is what (the bloodshed in West Asia) you see every single night on the evening news. And you compare it to what you have enjoyed for the last six years in Northern Ireland,'' he reminded them as he repeatedly appealed to them not to ``turn back''.

Barring one protest over U.S. policy on Iraq, Mr. Clinton was warmly greeted with people generally appreciating his contribution to the peace process over the years, though there was some scepticism if his `magic' could work as effectively now that he was ``just an ex-President''.

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Section  : International
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