Peace process - Hope and history wait for decision

IT is astonishing that the tantalising prospect of a power-sharing deal in the North could founder today for want of a photo.

Having brought Sinn Féin and the DUP to the verge of an historic deal that would copper fasten its fledging democracy, it seems incredible that the glittering prize of lasting peace may yet again elude the North's beleaguered people over such a trivial matter as a picture of IRA weapons being put beyond use.

That is the political reality, however, of a culture where symbolism counts for everything. For selfish political ends, DUP leader Ian Paisley wants to etch in the public mind a perception that he has scored a victory over the IRA and Sinn Féin.

Viewed from another perspective, however, the tactic may be a cynical get-out clause for Dr Paisley from a deal he never intended agreeing to in the first place.

If that is the case, then he will bear responsibility for de-railing a peace bid that was within grasp. Doubtless, his insistence on such a picture threatens to scuttle any chance of an IRA statement to coincide with today's planned visit to Belfast by British prime minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

What reasonable people up and down the country find bewildering is why a picture should be necessary at all given the expertise of General de Chastelain in the field of disarmament.

Moreover, if the decommissioning event were witnessed, as suggested, by two clergyman, one Catholic and one Protestant, that should be enough to convince Dr Paisley of the folly of placing a cynical obstacle on the tortuous path to peace and normality in the North.

His intransigence speaks volumes of the mind-set of those on the extremities of the political spectrum. Ironically, despite hopes of a deal today, the DUP is not even on speaking terms with Sinn Féin.

Generations of cultural, religious and political isolation and intolerance, explain why it has taken decades for the British and Irish governments to convince such implacable opponents to display some semblance of sharing common ground.

Yet another issue of intense public concern involves the on-going controversy over the planned release from jail of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe's killers as an integral part of any agreement.

This newspaper fully understands and supports the ground-swell of public sympathy for the impossible dilemma in which the McCabe family has been placed by the Government.

But we also support, albeit reluctantly, the Taoiseach's decision to release the four men provided the goal of lasting peace can be copper-fastened on this island.

Typifying the endless brinkmanship which has marked every inch of the way towards a final settlement in the North, the Taoiseach did not expect to learn until late last night whether or not a deal has been struck on the peace process.

If, in the final analysis, a concrete agreement on power sharing can be prized from this situation, it will be a resounding vindication of the hard work, patience and resilience displayed by the leaders of the two governments in this difficult, complex and sensitive scenario.

In the meantime, from one end of Ireland to the other, people are hoping against hope that when they arrive in Belfast today, the Taoiseach and the prime minister will have positive news that ultimately leads to genuine partnership and power-sharing between the North's divided parties and, with Christmas approaching, finally turns an elusive dream of lasting peace into reality for its embattled people.