by Peter Brooke two years ago are clearly wacked Leaked British proposals for an Hume to meet Gerry Adams Tearing suLe osses to sinh Fein. The meeting produced a joint statement on the need for self determination for the peo ple of Ireland" and talk of a panFailure of talks, which have been so hyped as almost the last chance for a solution, would be a serious political defeat for the British.
Already, some elements are starting to get restive at such a long catalogue of setbacks and calling for a pull out. An article by Gerald Kaufmann calling for withdrawal and Ted Heath's recent display in the House of Commons are indicationsof just such an impatience at the failure or baust policy Tea with Queen Which brings us to President Robinson's trip to visit the Oucen. Tea with Elizahrit wis followed. a couple of weeks later, by a long meeting between Albert Reynolds and John Major. The purpose of this diplomatic offensive is to try to pull Dublin behind the British.
Some elements in Dublin are already bad mouthing the SDLP and pushing Reynolds into supporting the British plan. In order get the talks going again. Dublin may have to make concessions on Articles 2 & 3, even extent of forcing the SDLP to accept a devolution type settlement.
But this unactmiming of th SDLP is a high-risk strategy because British policy since the 1985 Anglo Irish Agreement has precisely been to bolster the moderate nationalist party in the face or ine wircat from sinn Fein.
Messages
John Hume may have been carrying messages from the British when he met Gerry Adams but he may also have been showing his displeasure at British manoeuvres.
Of course, British weakness does not necessarily mean that the prospects for the Nationalists are significantly better. Despite its election gains Sinn Fein remains politically weak and in a poor position to take advantage of the SDLP's difficulties with Patrick Mayhew.
A crucial arena for this struggle will be the South of Ireland. With an economic crisis, an ongoing series of business scandals, rising undemployment and a coalition government, Fianna Fail leader Albert Reynolds will not want to rock the political boat by taking chances with Articles 2 & 3.
However, the working class in the South, pre-occupied with unemployment and the social crisis, does not see British with. drawal as the solution to its problems nor look to Sinn Fein for political leadership.
The increase in support for Labour in the last general election indicated a shift in working class support away from Fianna Fail. Saying that Labour is not the solution to the problems of the Irish working class is beg. eine the question about the need for a party which could be
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No. 45 June 26 1993. Page 11 Shoulder arms: the guerrilla fighters have been disarmed, but the structure remains unchanged.