Deeds, not words, will lead to reconciliation

16 August 2012

Sinn Fein’s apparent desire for ‘reconciliation’ (Belfast Telegraph, August 14) can be nothing other than a bluff intended to get Declan Kearney into the Mid-Ulster Westminster seat vacated by Martin McGuinness.

Declan Kearney’s words are straight from the head, and a pretty cold analytical one at that, when what is needed are deeds from the heart.

Can Sinn Fein be serious about reconciliation and at the same time appear to advocate that their opponents should take all the blame for the conflict and forget about the viciousness of the IRA?

Declan Kearney’s definition of the primary task as ‘Nation Building’ is nothing more than republican speak for “we haven’t got a clue as to what to do”.

The task ahead of all of us is very clear — it is to create a common moral basis for this society. We’re going nowhere, except back to the bad old days, until that happens.

Phony crusades designed to appear to share SDLP positions, but spoken without true empathy, will get this society nowhere.

John O’Connell

Derry

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