Sinn Fein has adopted the mantle of victimhood at the Northern Ireland multi-party talks in Dublin Castle. Indicted by the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, on the grounds that its associates in the IRA demonstrably dishonoured the Mitchell Principles by engaging in two murders, one of a drugs dealer, the other of a middle-ranking member of the Ulster Freedom Fighters, it has threatened legal action against expulsion from the talks process; insisted it has no organic links with the IRA and said there was no certainty it would return to the talks if it was expelled.
In the course of the day, a succession of Sinn Fein spokesmen - from Mr Gerry Adams downwards - described themselves as the victims of a "kangaroo court", of "a lynch mob of Ulster Unionists led by the British government" and of "a spurious assessment produced by the Chief Constable of the RUC". They also sought to suggest that the two governments were seriously divided in their approach to the issue. It was as intensive a publicity campaign as the party has launched in recent months and it was designed to elicit sympathy and support from the nationalist community on both sides of the Border.
In the circumstances, the Government was entirely justified in encouraging Dr Mowlam to follow the minutiae of the exclusion procedures agreed by all parties at the commencement of the talks. The possibility that the three days scheduled for Strand Two discussions in Dublin might be absorbed by deliberations concerning the exclusion of Sinn Fein was regarded with dismay, but as ultimately less important than the full implementation of agreed procedures.
The integrity of the talks process had to be upheld through the Mitchell Principles. At the same time, Sinn Fein would be granted every opportunity to clarify its position in relation to the murders and to present a case for its continued presence at the talks. Having listened to the Secretary of State, and engaged in day-long bilateral meetings with the various parties, the chairman of the talks, Senator George Mitchell,
will today arrange for Sinn Fein's formal response and that of the other parties. Only then will the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, and Dr Mowlam formally decide on a course of action. A final outcome may not be known until tomorrow.
Last night the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was emphatic in dismissing suggestions that the governments were divided in their approach to the matter. The rule of democracy and non-violence was the very basis of the talks process, he said, and fundamental to its integrity. The governments would make a decision about Sinn Fein when they had listened carefully to all the parties. There is no doubt of the anxiety of both governments to have Sinn Fein within the talks process when it moves into its final phase in late March. But, by suggesting it may not return if it is suspended for a short period, the party has opened up the question of tactics and strategy and the possibility that the IRA might secretly wish for such a development.
At the moment, Sinn Fein is being given the benefit of the doubt. But if the Sinn Fein/IRA axis was to declare no confidence in the political process and resume a full-blown campaign of violence, it would fall to the political middle ground and the two governments to agree a political settlement.