While
I was dismayed to read several of the recent articles
regarding the IRA’s self declared change of
status, I cannot say I was surprised. Ultimately
what the detractors must accept is that this move
was completely benign.
For
the IRA to make the statement it did was nothing
unexpected or shocking. It can be called landmark
or historic because it put a formal declaration
to the reality facing the politicians in the forefront
of discussions. Very little political acumen is
required to follow the logic of this move as carried
out by the designers of the plan under which the
right wing Republican movement has operated since
the early 1990’s, if not long before.
Quite
frankly the Northern Irish bank robbery was as good
as a telegram. As soon as it became clear who the
perpetrators were it was obvious this would be “one
more for the road.”
For
quite some time it has been evident to Sinn Fein
that the only business to succeed would be the business
of democracy and politics.
The
steps had to be taken to ensure that the movement
would be given the proper place in the new democratic
reality. Those in the Adams camp are to be applauded
for recognizing the shift in the paradigm and maneuvering
to be certain their branch of the Republican movement
would be dealt its fair share of cards.
As
a matter of fact, I believe that they have used
an astute politician strategy to earn more power
than strictly justified. This being the case, they
have not sold out, but worked in earnest to ensure
the movement would go forward with the ammunition
necessary to fight the good fight on a new battle
field, a landscape chosen not by government or political
party, but by the evolution of the human being as
a social and political creature.
The
armed struggle had its place and time, but that
time has past, and to move forward is to embrace
a new standard. Most groups would not be unable
to make this change successfully; let’s hope
the Republican movement can marshal the
support it needs to ensure it will achieve their
ultimate goal.
