A warning to the bombers of Ulster

The picture in Ulster is, if that's possible, even more complicated than it was before

NORTHERN IRELAND has shown the world two starkly conflicting images this week. People have witnessed the common-sense of two sides prepared to talk through their differences but they have also seen the mindless violence of bombers with no respect for human life.

The Apprentice Boys of Derry and the Bogside Residents' Association demonstrated that compromise is better than conflict. Their agreement shows what can be achieved when people respect the other person's point of view - even when the talking is tough.

This gives us all hope that common sense can prevail and accommodation replace conflict where there are disputes over parades. Contrast that with the wreckers prepared to devastate a town centre, wreckers whose only aim is to replace hope with despair.

I can understand that, after Saturday's car bomb attack, many people in Banbridge are asking if Northern Ireland's troubles will ever end. "Where is the peace?" they ask. I witnessed the scale of the damage in the aftermath of that cowardly attack and I am heartened by the determination of business people and local folk to rebuild the centre of a lovely town.

I don't doubt that there are some people feeling let down - but I also know that is just what the terrorists are striving for. Violence from dissident groups opposed to the ceasefires from either side of the community perhaps now poses the greatest threat to Northern Ireland's fledgeling peace.

The picture in Northern Ireland is - if that's possible - even more complicated than it was before. Groups are moving away from violence towards peace and politics. That is clear, and the Good Friday agreement proves it.

At the same time, there are extremists on either side who will do all they can to disrupt and destabilise. They want to convince people that nothing has changed and that the violence has not gone away.

Well it is going away, and it will go away if we all continue to show our determination not to let these bombers win. Of course, groups still using violence for political ends won't benefit from what the Good Friday agreement offers. For example, the scheme for early prisoner releases only applies to supporters of groups who are maintaining complete and unequivocal ceasefires. Groups not on ceasefire are not eligible.

At the same the terror groups are becoming increasingly isolated - support for continuing violence in Northern Ireland exists only among a handful of extremists And the security forces, north and south of the border, are doing an impressive job of preventing them carrying out their acts of terror.

But now they need the help of everyone in the community to bring those responsible to justice. The people of Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly for the agreement and a new way forward, both in the referendum and in the Assembly elections that followed.

They don't want this violence - they want these bombers caught and stopped. As a government, we want to encourage those who have chosen the path of peace and accepted that politics is the only real way forward. But at the same time, we will be tough on those who haven't abandoned their old ways.

They must realise that overwhelmingly the people of Northern Ireland have chosen an alternative way forward and neither they, nor we, are going to be deflected from that by the threats and intimidation.

Without doubt, the process of transforming Northern Ireland into a stable society like any other will take time, determination and patience. The recurrent problems over the parades issue show us how far the process of reconciliation between the two communities still has to go. Nevertheless, it can happen and it is happening.

Representatives of all shades of opinion in Northern Ireland have been elected to the new Assembly. All aspects of the agreement are moving forward together. The legislation to implement the agreement was passed by the House of Commons last week. The momentum of the last four months is being maintained.

I believe the agreement will succeed, most of all because it represents compromise on all sides while, at the same time, preserves the integrity and the dignity of both the traditions in Northern Ireland. That is a great achievement. Just a few years ago, most would have said such an agreement was impossible but I have no doubt that the will and determination is there from the Northern Ireland people to make it work.

The accommodation reached in Derry is a clear sign of that will at work. And it is the only way forward; it represents the best chance we have. We can't - we won't - let the bombers destroy it.