IRA Says It's Ready to Disarm; N. Ireland Talks Stall

[seemslikeadream]

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- The Irish Republican Army said it has agreed to end all paramilitary violence and disarm by the end of the year, raising the prospect of the end of a conflict that has killed 3,600 people over that past 30 years.

A statement by the IRA, released through the Irish government, said the ``causes of the conflict'' will be removed if an agreement brokered by the British and Irish governments is implemented.

``What has been achieved is remarkable but not yet complete,'' U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair said at a joint press conference in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, with his Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern. Blair and Ahern said the remaining issue needing resolution is how to verify that the IRA had disarmed.

The Democratic Unionist Party, the largest party in the province, is insisting on photographic evidence that the IRA is surrendering its weapons. The IRA rejected that.

If an agreement can be reached, Blair said that power-sharing between republicans, who favor a united Ireland and unionists, who want the province to remain part of the U.K., will be restored to Northern Ireland by March.
more
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ajJP.8SS5ADo&refer=top_world_news

[veggiemama]

1. Hmm . . . that reporting's a bit skewed . . .

The ever-insane Ian Paisley demanded photographs of the destruction of IRA weapons AND "sackcloth and ashes" for the IRA. That's why Gerry Adams used the word "humiliation". Paisley wants public penance by the IRA, or as he consistently calls them "Sinn Fein/IRA". Fair play to Gerry Adams for not demanding the same of Protestant paramilitaries, who've bombed and killed hundreds as well.

Sorry I don't have links. I've been listening to these events on RTE as they unfold. Funny how the Anglo-American media don't report the whole story.

[Bridget Burke]

3. Remember, Ian Paisley has God on his side.

He received one of the first honorary degrees from Bob Jones University--a group that now includes Strom Thurmond, George Wallace, Lester Maddox & John Ashcroft. Paisley's spoken at BJU many times & his sons are on the faculty.

Bush's speech there was one of the "high points" of his 2000 campaign, and he surprised many when he invited Paisley to his first St Patrick's Day celebration in the White House.

[Jack_DeLeon]

2. U.K. out of Ireland.

[Stella_Artois]

6. They already are

Since the 1920's IIRC.

[seemslikeadream]

9. I'm not sure I understand

that date. Thanks

[Stella_Artois]

12. Its the date of Irish independance

1921. Ireland is Irish.

5 northern counties are not. There is a majority protestant population there who do not wish to become Irish. Why should they ? The Irish don't want them.

It seems that some Americans cling to a romantic ideal of a glorious emerald isle of their ancestors without any concession to what the majority of people who currently live there want.

[seemslikeadream]

15. Yes I know that date but what does that have to do with

the UK out of Ireland? Are you saying the UK has been out of Ireland since 1921?

[Stella_Artois]

19. Yes

There is a country called Ireland that has nothing to do with the UK and hasn't since 1921.

The conflict has been over the northern 5 counties that remain part of the UK, because that's what 60% of the people that live there want. This is apart from the fact that the Irish government doesn't want them anyway.

Or do you know this and are being obtuse for a reason ?

[Bono71]

8. What if a majority of people in Northern Ireland (they are

mostly protestant and poor) want to stay in the UK and the majority of people in the Republic (who are taxpayers and don't want to subsidize the poorer North) don't want the North in the Republic?

Whay say ye then?

[seemslikeadream]

4. Dreams and Realities in Pursuit of Peace

...

The Democratic Unionists believe the problem is much deeper.

Emerging from talks with General John de Chastelain today, Mr Paisley said the IRA had not even discussed the details of decommissioning.

“The situation is that the IRA are dead set on keeping their arms and going on with the two-fold policy of IRA Sinn Fein in democracy and terrorism,” the North Antrim MP declared.

“The British and Irish Governments have a responsibility. Are they going to be held to ransom by the guns of the IRA and this country of ours held to ransom?

“Or are they going to move on now and say (to the IRA) you have chosen not to be part of this – we are going to move on with our promises?”

Republicans blame Mr Paisley for scuppering a deal, claiming his demand for photographs of decommissioning was unrealisable.

With the political debate once again beginning to degenerate into recrimination, the governments will be anxious to ensure the progress of recent weeks doesn’t begin to unravel.

Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern will want to move quickly to secure a lasting settlement.

But, with Westminster and local government elections looming next year in Northern Ireland, time is short.

The search for an agreement has been further complicated by the DUP’s refusal to enter into direct dialogue with Sinn Fein.

“You have got a situation where this is a negotiation by Chinese whispers,” one source said tonight.

“The DUP’s refusal to talk to Sinn Fein over the negotiating table means there is a total absence of trust.

“Republicans fear the DUP is out to humiliate Sinn Fein and the IRA and is intent on using decommissioning to boost their electoral fortunes.

“The DUP doesn’t trust the IRA to keep to its word.

“You’ve got a situation where both sides are reliant on the governments for an account of what the other side has agreed. That is a problem.”
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3860110



The IRA did not sign up to the use of photographs, the British Prime Minister stressed, and he went out of his way at Belfast`s Waterfront Hall to reject any hint of bad faith on the part of republicans.

He said: "We are not saying people came to an agreement and then reneged on it. What we have done in this document is to call it on the basis of what we think would have been a reasonable way through this."

Mr Ahern added: "The governments` proposals have nothing to do with surrender or humiliation. Certainty and clarity are two-way streets, and let us remember that. They apply equally to partnership politics as they do to the process of arms decommissioning."

Mr Adams said they had argued against the release of any documents which had not been agreed because he claimed they would add to the public`s confusion.

But a defiant Mr Paisley tonight demanded Mr Blair move on and restore with Northern Ireland Assembly - without Sinn Fein.

http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=53955&pt=n

He claimed it was also unclear whether the IRA had actually agreed to the drafted dramatic statement which effectively signalled their terror campaign had officially ended, or whether it was simply what the two governments would have wished to see.

The Labour leader said there must have been a number of unpublished side agreements covering issues such as the release of the Det Garda Jerry McCabe’s killers, an amnesty for ’on-the-runs’, and the question of rights for elected representatives from Northern Ireland to attend and be heard in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

“Unfortunately the Irish public is still largely in the dark,” he said.

“It would be wrong not to acknowledge the huge effort spent by the two governments, and particularly by Mr Blair and Mr Ahern, in search of a solution and the sense of disappointment they clearly felt today was entirely understandable.

“I hope however that, notwithstanding this setback, that the two governments will renew their efforts to find a solution and that people north and south will continue to put pressure on all parties to ensure the degree of compromise and flexibility necessary to go the final mile to secure full decommissioning in a manner in which everyone can have full confidence.”

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the failure of Sinn Féin and the DUP to reach a final agreement was “very disappointing” but he was upbeat about the prospect of a future deal.
more
http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=126764418&p=yz6765yz4&n=126765178

But with the devolution package derailed over the issue of decommissioning photos he declared: “Is all of what has been achieved, including by the DUP, going to be lost because of this absolutist and unreasonable and, in my view, unachievable demand?”

Mr Adams told how his party had been surprised that the issue of photographic proof was first raised.

http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=104137840&p=yx4y384zx&n=104138449

[veggiemama]

7. Great links! Thanks!

Can't get UTV where I live--only the three RTE channels and the Irish version of ITV. And I'm happy to read that Mary Harney and Bertie Ahern are again in public disagreement. Hopefully, that coalition will finally unravel and we'll get a new gov't here in Eire.

I've watched several interviews with Paisley on RTE over the last week, and his demands for photographic evidence of the destruction of IRA weapons does seem to have come out of the blue.

[seemslikeadream]

10. County Wexford, veggiemama

ENNISCORTHY AND VINEGAR HILL COUNTY WEXFORD. This fine old market town stands on both banks of the beautiful river Slaney, about fourteen miles northwest of the town of Wexford It was the first place of importance captured by the Irish insurgents in 1798. The first battle of the Wexford rebellion was at Oulart Hill, not far from Enniscorthy, on Sunday, Mary 27, and the British were totally routed There were also sharp affairs at Ferns and Camolin, and, at noon, on the 28th, Enniscorthy, strongly garrisoned by the royal troops, was vigorously attacked by the "rebels" under Father John Murphy the Lord of Oulart, and the first priest who fought in the rebellion and Edward Roche. The British made a gallant resistance, but, after three hours' desperate fighting, were driven from the town which was partially burned Thenceforth, the Irish insurgents had their permanent camp on Vinegar Hill - the eminence shown in the picture, rising above the town. It was held until Jane 20, when it was assaulted by 2O,000 regular British troops under Lieut.-Gen. Lake and Sir James Duff. The Irish fought heroically, men and women standing shoulder to shoulder, but were eventually forced to retreat, sustaining comparatively little loss. Although this battle practically put down the rebellion, the insurgents were justly entitled to sing :

We are the boys of Wexford,
Who fought with heart and hand
To burst in twain the galling chain
And free our native land

:hi:

[veggiemama]

11. Slainte!

And in honor of Vinegar Hill & 1798:

>>

BOOLAVOGUE

At Boolavogue, as the sun was setting
O'er the bright May meadows of Shelmalier
A rebel hand set the heather blazing
And brought the neighbors from far and near
Then Father Murphy, from old Kilcormack
Spurred up the rocks with a warning cry
`Arm, Arm' he cried, `for I've come to lead you
For Ireland's freedom we fight or die.'

He led us on 'against the coming soldiers
And the cowardly yeomen we put to flight.
'Twas at the Harrow the boys of Wexford
Showed Bookey's regiment how men could fight.
Look out for hirelings, King George of England
Search every kingdom where breathes a slave
For Father Murphy of County Wexford
Sweeps o'er the land like a mighty wave

We took Camolin and Enniscorthy
And Wexford storming drove out our foe
'Twas at Slieve Coillte our pikes were reeking
With the crimson stream of the beaten Yeo
At Tubberneering and Ballyellis,
Full many a Hessian lay in his gore
And Father Murphy, had aid come over
The green flag floated from shore to shore

At Vinegar Hill, o'er the pleasant Slaney
Our heroes vainly stood back to back.
And the Yeos at Tullow took Father Murphy
And burned his body upon the rack
God grant you glory, brave Father Murphy
And open Heaven to all your men.
The cause that called you may call to-morrow
In another fight for the Green again

<<

I live a bit closer to Oulart Hill, a place where we won the battle in 1798!

[seemslikeadream]

16. The Wind That Shakes The Barley

I sat within a valley green
I sat me with my true love
My sad heart strove the two between
The old love and the new love
The old for her, the new
That made me think on Ireland dearly
When soft the wind blew down the glen
And it shook the golden barley

'Twas hard the woeful words to frame
'Twas worse the tie that bound us
But harder still to bear the shame
Of foreign chains around us
And so I said, "The mountain glen
I'll seek it morning early
And join the bold United Men
While soft wind shakes the barley"

While sad I kissed away her tears
My fond arms around her flinging
The foeman's shot burst on our ears
From out the wild wood ringing
The bullet pierced my true love's side
In life's young spring so early
And on my breast in blood she died
While soft wind shakes the barley

Then blood for blood without remorse
I've taken to Oulard Hollow
I laid my true love's clay cold corpse
Where I full soon will follow
And 'round her grave I wander here
Now night and morning early
With a breaking heart whene'er I hear
The wind that shakes the barley

[Old and In the Way]

5. Why would Paisley want peace?

His power is in conflict.

[Tripmann]

13. Exactly

The IRA agreed to give up all of their weapons and acivities by the new year, but Paisly wants them publicly 'humiliated' with their photos, repenting for their sins. Rich coming from a bigot self proclaimed minister. He wants as much political capital from this as possible, it's disgusting. If the IRA had agreed to the photos it would be something else.

Tripmann

[Bridget Burke]

14. Perhaps he's realized his time is limited.

And he's fearful that those left behind will not be able to hate with the same intensity.

[seemslikeadream]

17. Ian Paisley face up to the reality that civic nicety isn't a concession

Gerry Adams said the IRA was "declaring peace"


The DUP's Ian Paisley rejected a deal aimed at restoring devolution because the IRA would not allow a photographic record of decommissioning.

The IRA said it would "not submit to a process of humiliation".


The IRA statement, in which the organisation said it would move into a "new mode", appeared in Thursday's edition of the republican newspaper An Phoblacht.

Mr Adams said: "He (Ian Paisley) has to face up to the reality that civic nicety isn't a concession.

"It is not generous not to talk to people - especially over life and death issues especially on the back of an offer like this, which is a declaration of peace."

"Let him test the IRA, if he doubts any of this."

He added: "What is making this all the more difficult is the distractions around presentational matters like photographs.
more
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4082133.stm


Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has reiterated his call on DUP leader Ian Paisley to meet him face-to-face in an effort to resolve difficulties in the peace process.

The Democratic Unionist Party is currently refusing to engage in direct talks with Sinn Féin.

Yesterday, a deal to restore power-sharing government in the North was put on hold because of ongoing differences between the DUP and Sinn Féin over IRA decommissioning.

Mr Adams said today that these differences could be overcome if Mr Paisley would agree to face-to-face talks.

"Some may say I'm naive in asking this," he said. "What I am appealing to Ian Paisley to do, as the leader of unionism, as a mandated political leader, is to come and meet and talk to me."
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=126837136&p=yz683784z


Hopes fall short for peace plan in Northern Ireland
IRA's weapons worry Protestant party

...

The recent negotiations, which have intensified in the past few weeks, have been conducted through a series of British and Irish government intermediaries because the DUP, which has rejected the Good Friday agreement, refused to hold face-to-face talks with Sinn Fein.

When the negotiations failed to reach a comprehensive agreement by the time of their scheduled joint news conference Wednesday, Blair and Ahern took the unusual step of publishing a document that spelled out the areas of demilitarization, decommissioning and policing that had been agreed upon by all the Northern Ireland political parties, including the DUP and Sinn Fein.

The document, "Proposals by the British and Irish Governments for a Comprehensive Agreement," was intended, as stated in its introduction, to allow the people of Northern Ireland to "reflect on what has been achieved and on the opportunity which this agreement, if accepted in its entirety, represents."

The document covered a broad and unprecedented agreement by the DUP and Sinn Fein on the complete and final decommissioning of IRA weapons by Christmas Day and the crucial move by Sinn Fein to finally begin to embrace the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The police service is intended to replace the divisive Royal Ulster Constabulary, a force in which Catholics were vastly underrepresented and a majority of Catholics placed little trust.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/12/09/MNGI0A8QEU1.DTL

[seemslikeadream]

18. >DEAL FALLS OVER DUP DEMAND FOR DECOMMISSIONING PHOTOS

Irish peace deal dies over DUP demands for humiliation + IRA statement


>DEAL FALLS OVER DUP DEMAND FOR DECOMMISSIONING PHOTOS
>12/08/04 12:34 EST
>
>The IRA gave the Irish and British governments a commitment
>to undertake complete decommissioning and follow peaceful
>means in a landmark deal to revive power sharing in Northern
>Ireland.
>
>
>The deal failed when the DUP insisted on photographic
>evidence of IRA weapons decommissioning. Sinn Féin's Mr
>Gerry Adams said the IRA would not submit to the
>"humiliation" demanded by Rev Ian Paisley.
>
>
>The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister held at a press
>conference at Belfast's Waterfront Hall this afternoon at
>which they released the 23-page formula they were working on
>to revive the Stormont Executive and Assembly until hopes of
>a deal were dashed.
>
>
>They outlined the committments made to them by the various
>parties and released the statements they expected the IRA,
>DUP and International Independent Commission on
>Decommissioning would have made in the event of a deal being
>secured.
>
>
>Mr Tony Blair said that despite the failure of the deal,
>"considerable progress" had been made.
>
>
>He said he had received a commitment from IRA to end
>paramilitarism fully and that the IRA had agreed with the
>two governments that the "causes of conflict" would have
>ended once fundamentals of Belfast Agreement were in place.
>
>
>He said there was a commitment by the IRA to fully
>decommission by Christmas. There was also a period between
>the end of decommissioning and the setting up of the
>Executive, which would have been in March next year.
>
>
>There had been consensus that there should be power-sharing
>and on amendments of certain elements of the Belfast
>Agreement that would allow this to resume. There was also an
>agreement on resolving the policing issue.
>
>
>The Prime Minister said that the issue of transparency of
>decommissing was a stumbling block. It had been agreed by
>all parties that independent verification of the putting of
>IRA weapons out of action was necessary. However, the
>requirement by the DUP that the decommissioning be
>photographed was not agreed to.
>
>
>He pledged to continue efforts to secure agreement between
>parties, despite the setbacks. "I may be weary as a
>traveller, but I'm not downhearted. There is a certain
>inevitability in this process."
>
>
>Mr Ahern described the government proposals as "landmark"
>and "comprehensive". He too promised to maintain contacts
>with all parties "to ensure peace and political stability in
>Northern Ireland."
>
>
>"Our work must continue to secure agreement and closure on
>what by any standards is a hugely impressive, and indeed a
>landmark package."
>
>
>"The forms of transparency that are proposed in the
>government's proposals as recalled by the Prime Minister
>have nothing to do with surrender or humiliation," Mr Ahern
>said. "Certainty and clarity are two way streets and let us
>remember that. They apply equally to partnership politics as
>they do to the process of arms decommissioning."
>
>
>The two governments published statements Mr Blair said they
>"expected" to be released by the IRA and the DUP had the
>proposals been accepted.
>
>
>According to a draft statement from the international
>disarmament body, had a deal been struck there would have
>been two acts of disarmament this month destroying the IRA's
>entire stockpile of weapons.
>
>
>One Catholic and one Protestant clergyman, acting as
>independent observers, would have witnessed IRA disarmament.
>They would have been able to make public statements about
>what they had seen.
>
>
>A photograph would also have been taken by the IICD, which
>would have been shown to political parties at Stormont and
>the governments once decommissioning was completed. It would
>have been published when power sharing was restored in March.
>
>
>Moves to transfer policing and justice powers to the
>Stormont Executive would also have begun within months. Sinn
>Féin president Mr Gerry Adams was also set to recommended
>his party ends its boycott of the PSNI as soon as the new
>laws were passed.
>
>
>Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP speaking at a press
>conference in Belfast this evening said that this was a good
>deal which reflected accurately the fundamentals of the Good
>Friday Agreement, including its power-sharing, all-Ireland
>and equality provisions.
>
>
>He said that the only obstacle which we face is the DUP's
>unrealisable demand for the humiliation of Irish republicans.
>
>Mr. Adams said: "Firstly, let me begin by repeating Sinn
>Féin's response to the comprehensive agreement as presented
>to us by the the governments This is a good deal which
>reflects accurately the fundamentals of the Good Friday
>Agreement, including its power-sharing, all-Ireland and
>equality provisions. We have, in addition, made progress
>across a range of other important issues."
>
>
>"In relation to the issues which the IRA is responsible for,
>we made it clear throughout the recent discussions that
>these were a matter for the IRA. However, I am confident
>that in the context of a comprehensive agreement that the
>IRA leadership will resolve these issues. This is a huge
>contribution which should liberate the entire process. All
>of the issues of substance have been resolved."
>
>
>"I have listened to the remarks of the Taoiseach and the
>British Prime Minister this afternoon. I believe that their
>comments have caused some confusion. Let me clarify them.
>The issue of photographs was first raised in the week before
>Leeds Castle. We were told by two governments that this was
>a DUP demand. We told the two governments that in our view
>this was not achievable. We were shocked on November 17th
>when this demand appeared in their joint proposals. We made
>clear from the beginning that this was not a runner."
>
>
>"The only obstacle which we face is the DUP's unrealisable
>demand for the humiliation of Irish republicans."
>
>
>"I welcome the assertion from Tony Blair that the DUP has
>agreed to this package, although I have not heard him saying
>this publicly."
>
>
>"No one should be in any doubt that a mighty piece of work
>has been done. We must not lose this," Adams concluded.
>
>
>DUP leader Ian Paisley has confirmed that a deal to restore
>devolution will not be signed. And he contradicted Mr.
>Blair's remarks with regard to IRA decommissioning.
>
>
>Speaking after the meeting decommissioning body chief
>General de Chastelain today, Mr Paisley said: "It is quite
>clear that the IRA are not going to decommission. Nothing on
>decommissioning was agreed with them. Not only photographs,
>but nothing was discussed or settled about the independent
>witnesses, inventory and all the things that we were
>interested in."
>
>
>
>"The situation is this: that the IRA are dead set on keeping
>their arms and going on with IRA/Sinn Fein's twofold policy
>of democracy and terrorism, " he said.
>
>
>Mr Paisley said they wanted the IRA to supply not one
>photograph but "a complete, total, clear survey in
>photographs" of decommissioning.
>__________________________________________________________
>
>The Irish American Information Service is a non-profit organization
>providing up-to-the-minute political news from Ireland to the world.
>The IAIS is funded entirely by your contributions. Please send your
>tax-deductable contributions to IAIS at the 907 F st NE, Washington
>DC 20002. You can visit us on the Web at http://www.iais.org
>


>IRA ISSUES STATEMENT DETAILING POSITION
>12/08/04 20:25 EST
>
>The IRA has issued a statement following the failure to
>revive the powersharing assembly in Northern Ireland.
>
>
>The statement outlines what was on offer from the IRA in the
>context of an overall political settlement. It confirms
>that the IRA was prepared to decommission all weapons by
>December of this year and, in effect, stand down the army in
>return for a comprehensive settlement within the terms of
>the Good Friday Agreement.
>
>
>The IRA lays the blame for today's proposals falling through
>squarely on the the shoulders of Ian Paisley's DUP for
>attempting to subject republicans "to a process of humiliation".
>
>
>The statement also calls on the British government and
>unionist leaders to "rise to the challenge" of finding a
>just and lasting peace in Northern Ireland.
>
>
>Full text of IRA Statement:
>
>
>"More than ten years ago, an IRA cessation publicly heralded
>the onset of the Irish peace process. Since then, the IRA
>has, time and again, demonstrated its commitment to
>sustaining and developing that process through a series of
>very significant and substantive initiatives.
>
>
>"In the context of the work to conclude a comprehensive
>agreement, the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireannn decided:
>
>
>:: to support a comprehensive agreement by moving into a new
>mode which reflects our determination to see the transition
>to a totally peaceful society;
>
>
>:: all IRA Volunteers be given specific instructions not to
>engage in any activity which might thereby endanger that new
>agreement;
>
>
>:: the IRA leadership also decided that we will, in this
>context, conclude the process to completely and verifiably
>put all our arms beyond use;
>
>
>:: we instructed our representative to agree with the IICD
>the completion of this process, speedily, and if possible by
>the end of December;
>
>
>:: to further enhance public confidence we agreed to the
>presence of two clergymen as observers during this process.
>
>
>"The IRA leadership decided to contribute in this way to a
>comprehensive agreement to resolve all outstanding issues,
>including those of concern within unionism. For his part,
>Ian Paisley demanded that our contribution be photographed,
>and reduced to an act of humiliation.
>
>
>"This was never possible. Knowing this, he made this demand
>publicly as the excuse for his rejection of an overall
>agreement to create a political context with the potential
>to remove the causes of conflict. As the IRA leadership has
>said before, this is a context in which Irish republicans
>and unionists can, as equals, pursue our respective
>political objectives peacefully.
>
>
>"We restate our commitment to the peace process. But we will
>not submit to a process of humiliation.
>
>
>"We commend our Volunteers and the wider republican base for
>their patience and discipline in these testing times. Our
>commitment, like theirs, to our republican objectives is
>undiminished.
>
>
>"We thank those who have made genuine contributions to the
>efforts to find solutions to ongoing problems. While
>acknowledging these efforts, we reiterate our view that
>progress cannot be made by pandering to the demands of those
>who are against change.
>
>
>"The search for a just and lasting peace is a challenging
>one. The IRA leadership has risen to that challenge. The
>British Government and the leaders of unionism must do
>likewise."
>
>
>P O'Neill
>Irish Republican Publicity Bureau
>Dublin
>
>ENDS
>__________________________________________________________
>
>The Irish American Information Service is a non-profit organization
>providing up-to-the-minute political news from Ireland to the world.
>The IAIS is funded entirely by your contributions. Please send your
>tax-deductable contributions to IAIS at the 907 F st NE, Washington
>DC 20002. You can visit us on the Web at http://www.iais.org

[brentspeak]

20. In truth, neither the UK nor the Irish Republic wants N.Ireland

By far the majority sentiment in the Irish Republic is that they are glad not to have N.Ireland on its hands. And a growing majority of the British would be just as happy to have N.Ireland out of THEIR hair.

The N.Ireland Protestants think the British love them; they don't. The N.Ireland Catholics think the South wants them; they don't. And around and around it goes...