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Man of War, Man of Peace? The Unauthorised Biography of Gerry Adams by David Sharrock and Mark Devenport
by Gary Kent________________Gerry Adams is a remarkable political figure - Marxist, Fascist, traitor, terrorist, peacemaker or statesman, according to taste. Active since 1965, he is the leading figure in a notoriously dangerous and schismatic movement, the IRA/Sinn Fein.
From a staunchly republican family he graduated from pilfering Guinness bottles for Molotov cocktails to internment from which he was released to negotiate with Willie Whitelaw (Adams told him that "all bets are off"), being elected thrice to represent West Belfast to being feted internationally, especially in America where he has raised millions. Adams's autobiography combines extraordinary detail,such as childhood conversations, with the extremely coy - IRA membership (of which he was once acquitted due to "insufficient evidence") remains illegal.
This eminently readable biography contains testimony from those involved - mainly critics - and seeks to "lift some corners of the blanket which covers Gerry Adams's secret life." For some Adams has always been highly political, witty and cultured. Others say he is deeply sectarian. Adams is quoted as being prepared "to wade up to my knees in Protestant blood" for a united Ireland. He vehemently denies this. Unexpected figures offer favourable assessments. Former Tory Minister Peter Brooke calls Adams "a very brave man" for winning the IRA"s 1994 ceasefire. A senior Irish diplomat describes Adams as "one of the most serious and intellectually gifted political people that I have ever met." A cleric says "he"s a very quiet man and he doesn"t give much away."
Two large questions loom: is Adams an integral part of the IRA and will he persuade republicans to do a political deal that falls short of Irish unity. The authors - experienced Ireland correspondents - argue strongly that Adams is a key Provo - the "chairman of the board." Adams routinely denies any IRA involvement but one senior policeman says: "I would be more concerned if he wasn"t on the IRA"s Army Council." A former Army Intelligence boss believes that "Adams is probably the one person who can actually deliver the IRA." As for the second question, Adams is credited with modernising and politicising Sinn Fein - once a toothless IRA support group - and for fusing and balancing military and political action. He allegedly devised the tactic of economic bombings.
Adams's "slightly constitutional" Sinn Fein now takes over 16% of the vote and may overtake John Hume"s SDLP. This has taken years and this biography portrays Adams as a cold and ruthlessly efficient tactician in purging opponents, marking out and occupying new ground. But it remains unknown whether this enigmatic warlord - one of the most experienced in the world - will use his undoubted pragmatism and political skills in the current political talks to scale down Provo expectations or whether the whole basis of the current peace process is an illusion. War or peace? This biography is necessarily limited by libel laws and the refusal by Adams or Sinn Fein to co-operate. One day, the full story may emerge. Will the real Mr Adams then stand up?
Gary Kent is the Westminster Correspondent of the Belfast based Fortnight Magazine. This review first appeared in the Tribune on January 23.