With regard to the RUC that is one of the sticking points which the Nationalists want sorted out and the Unionists are digging their heels in. Many books have been written about the RUC over the years. One I read a few years ago was unstinting in its praise about this "magnificent" force. If it were only true. To quote the old adage -"There's non so blind as those that don't wish to see." I am not saying that every single member of the RUC are tainted, but sadly over the years a few rotten apples have existed. It is seen in many Catholic eyes as simply the tool of a bigoted, sectarian government who for too many years manipulated and connived to avoid giving Catholics civil rights. The classic was the regular use of "gerrymandering" where the political boundaries were manipulated so as to give an unfair advantage to the Unionists. The surprising thing about the Sinn Fein politicians is that any at all should have made it into politics and be prepared to peacefully negotiate in view of the history of Nothern Ireland.