As the April 9[,1998] deadline draws close for the end of the current talks in the so-called Peace Process, the Irish and British governments -- and indeed the Clinton administration -- continue to maintain a positive attitude that progress towards a political settlement can be achieved.
While it may be incumbent upon governments to maintain a public posture of self-confidence, anyone with a sense of reality must remain dubious of claims that a solution is just around the corner. The cease-fire by pro-British loyalist groups remains nothing less than a sick joke, especially to those who have had to bury the innocent victims of the loyalist "war machine". On the Republican side there are ample signs to suggest that a large section of supporters are already deeply disillusioned by the Adams/McGuinness leadership and their ability to deliver any form of a Republican agenda.
 IRISH EYES: as 9 April approaches, JOE O'NEILL offers a special editorial "DEADLINE FOR PEACE."
 POWERSBOOKS looks at the Dangerous Visions available from a number of books and "PRIVATE THOUGHTS."
VOX POPULI, YOUR E-mail alternative to the Message Board is updated! G21 WORDS DOUBLE FEATURE:  POETRY: NATHAN BLACK - "Rationalizations of The Hermit"
HYPER-FICTION: ROD AMIS - "Quiet Worlds"
 BARE KNUCKLES: JEFF WINBUSH kicks off the Dangerous Visions Issue with "REGGIE WHITE GOES DOWN."
 FLISS USSHER's G21 EUROPE column LONDON CALLING! has a Dangerous Vision of a generation in "PARABLE OF A GENERATION"
 G21 ASIA RAOUL TESLA reports from Angeles, the Philippines.
ANOTHER Great Joke of the Day in THE HOUSE OF CARDS! G21 ASIA has KIM CARTER back talking about another type of foolishness in "CANNIBAL ISLAND."
 JENNIFER BLUE's PLANETARY MADNESS looks at YOUR influences!
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In the greatest act of self-delusion since George Foreman's comeback to heavyweight boxing, the Irish government has hinted that Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish constitution, which form the very basis of Ireland's statement of territorial integrity to the world, could be subject to change by referendum in the absence of any commitment by Britain to effect a withdrawal from Irish territory.
Irish citizens who reside in British occupied Ireland expect little or nothing from the British administration except their eventual departure. They do however, regardless of the many shameful capitulations to Britain's superior might by successive Irish governments, expect that an Irish government maintain the territorial integrity of the nation. On that there can be no compromise.
While many TDs (Members of the Irish Parliament) have paid lip-service to emigrant voting rights that ignore Irish citizens resident in the north of Ireland; legislation has yet to be drafted never mind enacted. Thousands of Irish citizens, resident in the north of Ireland, travel on passports issued by the Irish government, a testament of their pride in their nationality and, in the case of many, a political statement of their rejection of partition and foreign occupation.
Emigrant groups and others have campaigned for many years for this most basic of Human Rights. Recently Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, spoke in favor of such rights. "Fundamental changes," he said, "in British constitutionality was the key issue. The national rights of northern nationalists should be strengthened, not weakened, with northerners having the right to vote in Irish Presidential and parliamentary elections. There can be no redefinition of the Irish national territory or any dilution of the rights for Irish citizens. That would be a major grievous mistake. Nationalists in the north are not a minority in someone else's state. We are Irish citizens, living in our own country."
He concluded, "Sinn Fein wants to strengthen citizens' rights. We want the people of the north having the right to vote in Presidential elections and, if they choose, to send their representatives to the Dublin Parliament."
To that I say, Amen.
Joe O'Neill writes for various publications in the United States and Ireland.