Wednesday, Oct 16, 2002
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By Hasan Suroor
They have been accused of running a spy ring in the heart of the Government and the police claim to have seized a number of `sensitive' documents from Sinn Fein/IRA activists after a series of sensational raids on their offices in Belfast. Republicans have angrily dismissed the charges as "politically motivated''. The Northern Ireland Secretary, John Reid, resisted the unionist pressure to expel Sinn Fein from the ruling coalition and instead chose the less damaging course of suspending the local governing structures, and imposing direct rule from London. It is the fourth time since the Good Friday agreement ushered in the historic power-sharing arrangement between republicans and unionists in 1998 that the administration has been suspended because of continuing tensions over IRA's activities. The suspension came a day before the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was to quit the Government on the plea that the republicans' actions were not consistent with their promise to abide by the Good Friday Agreement. The hardline Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) had already withdrawn its two Ministers and the UUP's threat to follow suit left London with no option but to suspend the administration which was facing collapse anyway. Dr. Reid hoped that it would offer a "breathing space'' to both sides to sort out of the crisis. In remarks, clearly directed at republicans, he said: " The time has come for people to face up to the choice between violence and democracy.'' This was a reference to allegations that republican extremists in the IRA continued to be involved in subversive activities-including violence and espionage-even as their political arm, the Sinn Fein, was a part of the Government. The British Government has consistently echoed the unionist line that Sinn Fein cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hound at the same time. Dr. Reid called on all parties to start negotiations in order to save the peace process envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement. "The Agreement remains a template for political process here in Northern Ireland. I hope the decision I have taken today marks a breathing space — a chance to gather strength — before that process moves forward once again,'' he said soon after announcing the suspension on Monday. The move was attacked by the Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, who accused Dr. Reid of making "very dishonest'' remarks in relation to his party.
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