T ne hidden centrepiece of the Good Friday agreement is Unionist leader David Trimble.
The the enthusiastic support of Irish and Sinn kein offer firm support as junior partners, but it not they who circ as sie arse oreste rule in Irland, but right-wing unionists. And it is from the right that the Z Irish settlement still faces serious threats.
the British strategy is that it 50% "moderato Yet at every tion test this majority crumbles Downl Even under massive British pressure, David Trimble only just lenge to his leadership from South the far right.
The majority for a resumn. tion of the Stormont execuaway tive was even more humiliatBuN COs Wachac unionists were given a series changes which painfully clear that not even the limited promises by the Patten CUIISSO change the local sectarian police, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, would be honoured.
They were also given priassurance that the Union Jack, long a local symbol ol sectarian domination. would retain its position as the official flag of the state.
Downhill Things hc * a lot worse Since then. Unionist grandee Trimble supWUTEC Lady Hermon was defeated in a unionist selecA column from Socialist Democracy, Irish section of the fourth international meeting in North Burnside, ultra-right reactionary and former IcHalnK figure British Airways, won the Antrim selection. tac ground ine UFf has been gradually moving date local Catholics.
from the agreement. and giving background supin its shootng war with the UVE This has escalated into a war of the flags between the UDA swift passage. and UVR where CiSiee claims a loyalist area as its The UDA has been winning the battle for support promise". tront organisatton the UFF, has been issuing blood-curling threats to re- gearing Drumcree Launch the random sectarian killing of Catholic workers. Trimble.
Worst of all was the fate of Dy the British and Trimble solve the BIOREY Drimeree issue defeat. was that the Orange Order would speak to the Parades COMS OT Up ustil now they have spoken to no-one. launched insisting on their undiluted A balancing act with his more right wing supporters: Trimble sectarian privilege to walk recruiting more representaand intimiares or ic nonse bour geoisie into the party.
Speaking to the commis- "Britishness" of directly, rather than the North tatives, would establish their It's not only Trimble and moderation and win them the British that have a prob.
Unfortunately for Trimble the sectarians Dublin capitalists not only threw out the pro- port Trimble posal, they also kicked out agreement. To that end they the small group of grandees acquiesced to the changes in who had suggested the "com- the Patten report and secret The Orange right are now emblems that up for war ripped up the Good Friday It's Catch-22 for Agreement. If the far right win, Brian Cowan, the Dublin he's finished - but it is also Foreign Affairs minister, sighard to see how the Trimble nalled this immediately after Cole sune Teresia snaca infighting that would follow Stormont by saying that it was unrealistic In a desperate attempt a changes in the "Britishness"
The recently of the North and that not "Reunion" in the hope of group. CYCY ST CO OCO get what they wanted in the dispute about flags emblems. Even more interesting were the signals sent out by Sinn Fein. They advise" nationalists to ioin the new RUC, said Gerry strategy of the Adams. In other words they is to supand save ment disappear before their eyes, but instead of walking away they agreed to become the loyal opposition, lobbyflags and ing the British for some con• CHICCHVCI cessions in their favour.
Trimble "moderation" One sort of difficulty based on the pressure on the Trimble wing of unionism. A much more fundamental problem is posed by the fact that there is no "moderate" wing to unionism. It is after all Trimble who convinced the British that Drumcree will be anceher sest for the Trimble wing and even the vacuous Patten report was would have to be effectively Trimble "not vis ur woue aare ocyn cred a triumphal march at Drumcree.
Irimble wing that stomied Sinn Fein in recent Mayoral election in Belfast by rushing from Stormont to vote for Paisleyite arch-bigot Sammy Wilson The British are finding a policy based on moderation uncomfortable. Nor is Irish capital at all comfortable with the situadon.
But Gerry Kelly, struck from behind by baton they force yet another Orange march arcas, can stand as a metaphor for Sinn Fein in finding it most uncomfortable of all.