Politics: Northern Ireland: Can Sinn Fein acccept NI's largely-protestant police force?

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BBC's news out of Northern Ireland tells us "Sinn Fein backs police conference--Policing has been a dividing issue between the DUP and Sinn Fein" (Dec29,2k6). The DUP is the Democratic Unionist Party, a party whose parliamentarians are in good part evangelical Christians led by Rev Dr Ian Paisley. Sinn Fein is the Irish Republican party that draws Catholic voters, and for a long time served as the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, a terrorist group. Protestant counter-terrorists have been disowned by DUP. Now the crucial issue is whether Sinn Fein can fully accept the Northern Ireland police, largely composed of Protestants.

The Sinn Fein leadership has voted for a special party conference in January on the issue of whether to support policing in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after talks in Dublin, party president Gerry Adams said the meeting would be held if the two governments [UK and Republic of Ireland] and the DUP gave a positive response.

The move was welcomed by Downing Street and the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern [head of the Republic's govt and leading party].

Sinn Fein support for policing would be viewed as removing one of the main obstacles to restoring devolution.

More than two-thirds of [Sinn Fein's] executive voted in favour of the meeting.

The party has historically opposed recognising the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and its predecessor the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), because of what it sees as a Protestant bias within the service.

'Potential' recognised

The DUP - the largest party in Northern Ireland - has previously refused to speak to Sinn Fein until it recognises and accepts the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the Sinn Fein vote on Friday evening, DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said it would be "churlish not to acknowledge the potential" of the steps taken by the republicans.

But he warned that unionists would have to study Sinn Fein's words and actions carefully. ...

Speaking after the six-hour meeting of the executive, Mr Adams said the debate was "frank, comradely and robust".

"I put a motion to the party leadership and the party leadership endorsed that by more than the two thirds majority," he said.

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Mr Adams said he would now be engaged in efforts to deal with concerns among republicans over the proposals.

"I am totally wedded to the idea of every single person who wants to be part of this debate, being part of the debate, because it's about the future, it's about the type of Ireland we want to see."

Sinn Fein said the motion put forward would include a commitment to "actively encourage everyone in the community to co-operate fully with the police services in tackling crime in all areas and actively supporting all the criminal justice institutions".

BBC Ireland correspondent Denis Murray said the key for the DUP would be "delivery".

'Important step'

Mr Ahern welcomed the Sinn Fein executive's "landmark and timely decision".

"Sinn Fein has today taken an important step on the road to support for policing in Northern Ireland," he said.

A Downing Street spokesman said there was now, for the first time, "the real prospect of all parties and all sections of the community in Northern Ireland supporting the rule of law in Northern Ireland".

"This statement is significant because of the unequivocal support that Sinn Fein says it will offer - if this motion is passed at the ard fheis - to not just the police but also to those in communities who report crimes to the police," the spokesman added.

Alex Attwood, Social Democratic Labour Party spokesman, said: "Sinn Fein now appear to be backing out of the wrong position they've adopted on policing over the last number of years...

"Everybody including the DUP should now consider acting quickly and positively to the situation that's developing."

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said Sinn Fein had "lost the battle on policing".

Alliance Party leader David Ford said: "Some of us have been waiting for this since 1998. It's long overdue but nonetheless welcome."

The British and Irish governments have named 7 March as the date for fresh assembly elections, with a new executive expected to be up and running by 26 March.

Talks aimed at restoring the assembly and its executive have been taking place since the St Andrews Agreement negotiations in November.

Our prayers are with the people and leaders of the political forces of Norther Ireland.

--Politicarp