Sinn
Fein Negotiator Gives Talk
by Tobias Smith and Aaron Mucciolo
Northern
Irelands Minister of Education Martin McGuiness addressed
students in the Science Centers West Lecture hall yesterday.
McGuiness, a former Irish Republican Army leader and current top
negotiator for Sinn Fein, discussed both the history of conflict
in Northern Ireland and the current prospects of peace.
Sinn Fein is the political arm of the IRA, a movement that has sought
for decades to remove British control of Northern Ireland and reunite
with the independent country of Ireland. Both Irelands are predominantly
Catholic, while the British are predominantly Protestant.
Throughout his speech McGuiness was resolute that a final solution
to the conflict was inevitable, hopefully within his own lifetime.
We are irreversibly moving forward in the peace process in
Northern Ireland, he said during his speech.
McGuiness began by acknowledging the complexity of the conflict.
The big problem, really, is where do you begin? he joked.
If we start at the beginning, wed be here for several
days.
After a brief overview, McGuiness discussed the current state of
the peace process. Much of the speech focused on Sinn Feins
continued gains in acceptance by both Catholics and Protestants
in Northern Ireland, as well as the British government, as a legitimate
political body committed to peace. He credited these gains to dialogue
and discussion. Thats how we were successful in Northern Ireland.
In his speech, McGuiness praised the many people who he said had
worked for peace, including Gerry Adams, John Hume, British Prime
Minister Tony Blair and former President Bill Clinton.
He also noted the important steps taken by the British government
as a whole throughout the years, calling the 1994 cessation of military
actions by the British courageous and saying it broke
the cycle of violence in Northern Ireland.
Parallels were also drawn between Northern Ireland and the struggles
in South Africa and the Middle East. The talk finished where it
began, with an emphasis on ending violence. This is the great
prize we are working for, the prize of peace, McGuiness said.
Well over 100 students, staff, and townspeople came to hear the
talk, many staying for over 45 minutes of questions following McGuinesss
remarks. Questions ranged from specific political issues in Northern
Ireland to larger global concerns. Changing hats, McGuiness also
discussed educational policy in Northern Ireland, a problem that
he notes affects both Catholics and Protestants.
McGuiness national and political convictions were not just
evidenced in his long list of credentials, rhetorical confidence
and green tie with matching lapel pin. While normally maintaining
a politicians composure when addressing questions, hints of
deeper emotion flourished when responding to questions about his
countrys ability to manage without British aid. It is
an insult to the people of Ireland to suggest that we arent
capable of providing for ourselves, he said.
McGuiness had not planned to make Oberlin a stop on his tour of
the U.S., which includes only two other destinations, Cleveland
and Chicago. Students were alerted to the his arrival by word of
mouth, and an ad hoc coalition was formed at the last minute to
bring McGuiness, who agreed to speak on short notice and for a reduced
fee, to campus. The group raised hundreds of dollars from co-ops
and student organizations, and the Student Union financed the rest
of the costs.
There was only a small window of opportunity, and of course
we jumped on it right away, Associate Director of the Student
Union Chris Baymiller said.
While in Oberlin, McGuiness also took time to meet with the mayor
as well as various trade unionists.
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