For the most part the crisis in unionism represents sound and fury signifying nothing. There is not one sell-out in sight within the Joint Declaration. The main ostensible issue is the future of the locally based RIR. What the declaration does say is that, given acts of completion and 'positive community support for the police at all levels', the security force profile would remain 'consistent with the need to meet the continuing threat to security and public order from whatever quarter'. Detailed plans to reduce the military to peacetime levels are provided but only take effect, 'in an enabling environment'.
Those having nightmares about the potential loss of the RIR are defeatists who refuse to believe that a normal society without the IRA is possible. Yet this is the context in which troop level reduction is to be considered.
Jeffrey Donaldson's fears are therefore illogical and misguided. In any case we can never control British army deployment and Mr Donaldson's people cannot be serious about telling the British government what they can or cannot do – that is unless they are going to put their money where their mouth is and go for independence. The storm within the UUC is about nothing more substantial than internal rivalries and the desire to build power bases on other people's fears.
Mr Donaldson also expresses concern about Irish government involvement in an Independent Monitoring Body designed to enhance public confidence.
This is precisely what unionists called for to ensure that all parties lived up to their commitments to entirely peaceful means. Sanctions, up to and including 'exclusion for varying periods', as demanded are to be made available.
Monitoring Body membership is to consist of two British members (one from Northern Ireland) one American and one southern Irish.
There are more important features in the Declaration. Paragraph 12 suggests the transition to exclusively peaceful means must be completed including an end to 'criminality masquerading as a political cause'. Paragraph 13 calls for a 'full and permanent cessation of all paramilitary activity by armed groups'. Para-graph 17 states the governments' intention to 'respond immediately and vigorously to any form of criminal activity'. The govern-ments will have recourse to the full range of measures' to be 'directed to the resources and organisational capability of such groups'.
Incredibily, this is what Jeffrey Donaldson wants to run away from!
Most anti-agreement unionists are just that, opponents of an agreed future and of changes that might end our ancient conflict. These people find sustenance in the Orange Order, an institution that may be legitimate in itself, but that constitutes an almost fatal drag on unionist politics.
Unfortunately Orangeism cannot be easily dispensed with and has been deeply infiltrated by right-wing groups including the DUP. One other point stands out in the Joint Declaration, the consider-ation given in paragraph 11 to the establishment of a 'dedicated secretariat' to enhance the British Irish Council.
For too long unionists suffered from short-term myopic vision. It is time to look ahead, to end defeat-ism and petty rivalries and to develop a proud united society working in harmony and in peace with our neighbours. Rather than digging trenches and screaming 'not an inch' while in retreat, unionists must get up of their knees, act like men and work for something better for all.
Mr Donaldson's threat to leave the UUP is mimicked by others. If they leave they may take a large (Orange?) element with them to join other dissidents.
In that context the UUP could dispense with the dead weight of Orange delegates and emerge with a strengthened democratic and inclusive unionist party with freedom to facilitate the revival of the assembly and executive on a proper basis. The retreatists and their fellow travellers could represent an electoral challenge but their departure could also encourage an influx of new members Catholics and Protestants alike unencumbered by the massive siege mentality that hangs like an albatross around the shoulders of dissidents.
Some commentators metaphorically forecast 'blood on the floor' at today's (Monday) meeting. However, although the council meeting is about nothing substantial, in the eyes of many rejectionists it is about everything and constitutes a matter of life and death. The possibility of 'blood on the floor' today has therefore to be taken quite literally.
