31 August 2002
Crime levels
One fifth of households in Nothern Ireland experienced crime last year, according to an official government report.
Unionist backroom
The Irish Times reports (subscription needed) on the talks in Fermanagh conclude, the Ulster Unionists hope they have an agreement for the Unionist Council meeting on the 21st September. Clearly they will be keeping the detail under wraps until the meeting itself:
"'We are determined as an officer team to make sure that the meeting is constructive, that it is on a positive note, and I feel that we can have a successful meeting and reach a consensus that will be one which the party will approve and which probably will unite the party,' added Mr Cooper."
The Guardian says that Donaldson and Burnside will be given permission to run for Assembly seats.
John Coulter wonders if life with the DUP at the top of NI politics will be all that many nationalists fear.
"In terms of strategy, the DUP has one ace card to play if it becomes the number one voice for Unionism. It must re-negotiate the Good Friday Agreement; but then again, has the DUP the bottle to remain solidly in such talks, or will it indulge in more Carson Trails, Third Forces, Ulster Resistances and other media stunts?"
"'We are determined as an officer team to make sure that the meeting is constructive, that it is on a positive note, and I feel that we can have a successful meeting and reach a consensus that will be one which the party will approve and which probably will unite the party,' added Mr Cooper."
The Guardian says that Donaldson and Burnside will be given permission to run for Assembly seats.
John Coulter wonders if life with the DUP at the top of NI politics will be all that many nationalists fear.
"In terms of strategy, the DUP has one ace card to play if it becomes the number one voice for Unionism. It must re-negotiate the Good Friday Agreement; but then again, has the DUP the bottle to remain solidly in such talks, or will it indulge in more Carson Trails, Third Forces, Ulster Resistances and other media stunts?"
30 August 2002
Waning priesthood
Even though there is still a high attendence level at Catholic churches in Ireland, there is certainly a serious crisis looming in terms of recruiting preists with many serving through illness and extreme old age. There are only two seminaries left in Ireland - in Maynooth and St Malachy's in Belfast with a handful of novices beginning at the Irish College in Rome.
Unionist backroom
Now we know the DUP election campaign's begun in earnest! Courtesy of a previous article written by Steven King (reported here), Peter Robinson finally breaks cover and reveals some of the internal thinking of the DUP. He finishes by asking:
"The question for others – pro-Agreement unionists and nationalists – is whether they are going to cling to a failed process that offers nothing but continued instability and a bleak future or whether they can respond positively to a new challenge and accept the realities and parameters within which agreement must, and can be, reached."
We'll see if he gets any bites.
Update: Robinson says he won't take the First Minister's seat until the Agreement has been negotiated to the DUP's satisfaction. Though it remains unclear what their criteria will be, except that they will not be seeking to railroad a pure DUP package:
"Any proposal delivered unilaterally by any party will be rejected summarily, precisely because it is the property of a particular party," Mr Robinson said."
"The question for others – pro-Agreement unionists and nationalists – is whether they are going to cling to a failed process that offers nothing but continued instability and a bleak future or whether they can respond positively to a new challenge and accept the realities and parameters within which agreement must, and can be, reached."
We'll see if he gets any bites.
Update: Robinson says he won't take the First Minister's seat until the Agreement has been negotiated to the DUP's satisfaction. Though it remains unclear what their criteria will be, except that they will not be seeking to railroad a pure DUP package:
"Any proposal delivered unilaterally by any party will be rejected summarily, precisely because it is the property of a particular party," Mr Robinson said."
The Agreement and demography
Newton Emerson freshens up the debate, on the agreement with a vigourous moral defence of the Belfast agreement against the purist line take by both Republicans and Unionists. The dreaded 2001 census figures are expected come in a month behind schedule.
Some believe the proportion of Catholics will have risen to 46/47%. However, as mentioned before, it is unlikely to translate directly into a similar level vote for a united Ireland in any future border poll . As one Catholic professional I met last week warned, "Catholic does not necessarily mean Nationalist".
Some believe the proportion of Catholics will have risen to 46/47%. However, as mentioned before, it is unlikely to translate directly into a similar level vote for a united Ireland in any future border poll . As one Catholic professional I met last week warned, "Catholic does not necessarily mean Nationalist".
Police drama continues.
Unionist backroom
Peter Weir is hitting the campaign trail earlier than most. Last week he was spotted on the streets of Holywood with a number of young DUP worthies preparing to leaflet unsuspecting constituents of a key area in the relatively affluent North Down constituency. Today he is turning his attention to his former UUP colleagues, Burnside and Donaldson.
The Belfast Telegraph suggests four options the Ulster Unionists might take. Durkan warns Trimble not to mess with the devolved institutions.
Update: Pre Council meeting to take place in Fermanagh. Update to the update. It now seems that that meeting is not going too smoothly.
The Belfast Telegraph suggests four options the Ulster Unionists might take. Durkan warns Trimble not to mess with the devolved institutions.
Update: Pre Council meeting to take place in Fermanagh. Update to the update. It now seems that that meeting is not going too smoothly.
A few improvements
Thanks to my friend and colleague Abi, we have a couple of improvements..
The archives are up and working - at last! Just go to the archive and click on a date. For instance if you want to know want the letter was saying around the 12th of July, click on the week beginning 7 Jul 2002 and it'll take you to that page.
To webloggers, the permalinks are now working - just hit the time of the post and the appropriate url will appear.
The archives are up and working - at last! Just go to the archive and click on a date. For instance if you want to know want the letter was saying around the 12th of July, click on the week beginning 7 Jul 2002 and it'll take you to that page.
To webloggers, the permalinks are now working - just hit the time of the post and the appropriate url will appear.
29 August 2002
Fair play to the boy
Ulster jockey Tony McCoy has spent the last 7 years breaking all time records on the UK horse racing circuit, with very few of us taking much notice. And he's only 28!
Minister's not for turning?
David Trimble, presumably refreshed from holidays, has fed a media hungry for 'real' stories with plenty of copy. He is categorically not quitting, according to Alan Erwin. And according to Chris Thornton:
"The heart seems to have gone out of the No struggle. Several of the most passionate anti-Agreement members have left for pastures oranger, joining the DUP. Many of those who remain prefer to be called Agreement sceptics rather than opponents. South Antrim MP David Burnside, so far the public face of this motion, has not shown signs of carrying opinion in the UUC. In March, he failed to convince the council they should elect him as a party officer."
But he cautions:
"Experience has shown the UUP leader's tendency to cut a deal with his internal opponents that makes waves for the bigger process. And suspicion says that Mr Trimble will be tempted to collapse Stormont before May and avoid the election."
Martina Purdy believes that Trimble's main strength within his party is that there is no visible alternative once, as most of his critics advocate, the party withdraws from the current process.
"The heart seems to have gone out of the No struggle. Several of the most passionate anti-Agreement members have left for pastures oranger, joining the DUP. Many of those who remain prefer to be called Agreement sceptics rather than opponents. South Antrim MP David Burnside, so far the public face of this motion, has not shown signs of carrying opinion in the UUC. In March, he failed to convince the council they should elect him as a party officer."
But he cautions:
"Experience has shown the UUP leader's tendency to cut a deal with his internal opponents that makes waves for the bigger process. And suspicion says that Mr Trimble will be tempted to collapse Stormont before May and avoid the election."
Martina Purdy believes that Trimble's main strength within his party is that there is no visible alternative once, as most of his critics advocate, the party withdraws from the current process.
Police drama
Spain and Ireland
Since the Spanish government banned Batasuna, there has been a lot of coverage in British newspapers. The line taken by the Daily Telegraph (also taken says that that Blair should follow Aznar. However Unionist commentator Stephen King, suggests caution to hardliners, pointing to the fact that in the whilst the left in Spain is behind the ban, not much support is likely to come from the British left. David McKitterick in the Independent offers the Northern Ireland experience as an example for Spain:
"The lesson learnt in Belfast, painfully slowly after so many years in which so many other tactics were tried, was that an outlaw community preferred to remain outlawed and to remain associated with violence, if the alternative was simply ignominious surrender. In Belfast the sense developed that everyone had to be given an honourable way out, a means of exiting from the troubles with dignity and the possibility of entry into politics and the wider society."
"The lesson learnt in Belfast, painfully slowly after so many years in which so many other tactics were tried, was that an outlaw community preferred to remain outlawed and to remain associated with violence, if the alternative was simply ignominious surrender. In Belfast the sense developed that everyone had to be given an honourable way out, a means of exiting from the troubles with dignity and the possibility of entry into politics and the wider society."
28 August 2002
Trimble's back
Sa Ghaeilge i mi Lunasa
Aincheist mhorálta do Trimble, 's do chach. Loiteadh cuid de thaispeántas i Learpholl agus creidtear gur dÃlseoirà a rinne an damáiste. Chomdháil dhomhanda ar chúrsaà timpeallachta i Johannesburg in Afraic Theas.
NI's 'green' agenda non-existent
Crisis in Unionism...
Although David Trimble's warning of a nightmare for Ulster has yet to come to fruition, David Burnside is one senior party member has backed the calling of another meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council, effectively the only decision making body within the UUP. There is some speculation within Unionist circles that Burnside may first in line to succeed Trimble as party leader, were the crisis to precipitate a resignation.
Meanwhile Trimble spells it out for many of his Unionist opponents, that whoever is head of the Unionist poll after the next election, direct rule is not an option.
Meanwhile Trimble spells it out for many of his Unionist opponents, that whoever is head of the Unionist poll after the next election, direct rule is not an option.
Sinn Fein coming in?
Perhaps in an attempt to cool the waters before the crisis within Unionism recommences this Autumn, Mitchel McLaughlan told Radio Ulster this morning that Sinn Fein will join the policing board, when Tony Blair implements promised changes to current legislation. The policing board has been the subject of controversy ever since the publication of the blueprint document last year, with only the SDLP initially taking op their seats on it.
After a summer in which the party has largely avoided any concrete answers to the many questions it has been asked about it's commitment to civil peace, this could be one to keep an weather eye on over the next few months.
Update: Interesting thread developing on this (unmoderated) board.
After a summer in which the party has largely avoided any concrete answers to the many questions it has been asked about it's commitment to civil peace, this could be one to keep an weather eye on over the next few months.
Update: Interesting thread developing on this (unmoderated) board.
27 August 2002
Transcending sectarianism?
Despite all the coverage of recent weeks, it is hard to find anyone willing to sort out where the basic ground lies. There's an interesting offering in the pipeline from the Cheif Rabbi, Jonathan Sachs, Jonathan Freedland reports in the Guardian.
"The latest challenge is to construct a way for different cultures to get along in a globalised world. The old mechanisms were fine in their day, says Sacks: the principles of religious tolerance or separation of church and state worked well inside the boundaries of a nation state. But we are no longer living in neatly defined, single societies; now we inhabit a world where "everything affects everything else", whether it's terror or economics."
"The latest challenge is to construct a way for different cultures to get along in a globalised world. The old mechanisms were fine in their day, says Sacks: the principles of religious tolerance or separation of church and state worked well inside the boundaries of a nation state. But we are no longer living in neatly defined, single societies; now we inhabit a world where "everything affects everything else", whether it's terror or economics."
26 August 2002
Sectarianism
Jude Collins refutes the idea that everyone within the context of NI is per se a bigot.
Political mergers?
Ciaran Irvine weighs up the prospects of a Fianna Fail /SDLP merger, but asks what will happen to Social Democracy in any new situation arising?
Religion and politics
One Orangeman in Derry told me last week that the crunch for the Orange Order in the coming years would deciding whether they are an essentially religious organisation, or one dedicated entirely to politics. The Order he argued had got itself caught in all manner of impossible tangles because it had tried to carry forward two agendas at once.
Malachy O'Doherty reports on some strange anomalies that defy many suppositions about the nature of loyalism. It has long been a phenomenon of the troubles that mixed marriages have produced some unexpectedly extreme reactions in their offspring. But the revelation that the current head of the virulently anti-Catholic LVF was actually raised as a Catholic will give many of us pause for thought.
Is this a case of the separation of politics and religion or, more likely, a lethal conflation of the two?
Malachy O'Doherty reports on some strange anomalies that defy many suppositions about the nature of loyalism. It has long been a phenomenon of the troubles that mixed marriages have produced some unexpectedly extreme reactions in their offspring. But the revelation that the current head of the virulently anti-Catholic LVF was actually raised as a Catholic will give many of us pause for thought.
Is this a case of the separation of politics and religion or, more likely, a lethal conflation of the two?
World Summit in Jo'burg
As Trimble confirms his attendence at the WSSD comment has been slow to gather about this major world event in Ireland, North or South. The Belfast Telegraph gave editorial space to it to today:
"With Northern Ireland rapidly running out of landfill capacity such questions suddenly seem pertinent. The mountains of redundant fridges are the tip of an environmental iceberg."
Even those who are going to take a ringside at the biggest event since a similar summit in Rio ten years ago, The Irish Times outlines some dissent within the 50 strong Irish contingent:
"The Irish delegation includes representatives of some of the principal environment and development groups which last week denounced Ireland's record on sustainable development; they are already complaining that they have been sidelined in the summit negotiations."
A case of, as the Daily Summit weblog quotes from Jack Freeman:
"They have won the right to speak, the right to be heard, the right to have their message delivered, not only to the summit delegates but, through the media, to the world at large. But that doesn't mean that the government delegates, or anybody else, have to pay attention to what they are saying."
Otherwise, despite a busy schedule, there is not much interest as yet in Northern Ireland.
"With Northern Ireland rapidly running out of landfill capacity such questions suddenly seem pertinent. The mountains of redundant fridges are the tip of an environmental iceberg."
Even those who are going to take a ringside at the biggest event since a similar summit in Rio ten years ago, The Irish Times outlines some dissent within the 50 strong Irish contingent:
"The Irish delegation includes representatives of some of the principal environment and development groups which last week denounced Ireland's record on sustainable development; they are already complaining that they have been sidelined in the summit negotiations."
A case of, as the Daily Summit weblog quotes from Jack Freeman:
"They have won the right to speak, the right to be heard, the right to have their message delivered, not only to the summit delegates but, through the media, to the world at large. But that doesn't mean that the government delegates, or anybody else, have to pay attention to what they are saying."
Otherwise, despite a busy schedule, there is not much interest as yet in Northern Ireland.
The Lennon thing...
This story produced an extraordinary amount of journalism, and an equally extraordinary diversity of opinion. I don't often express strong comment in the letter, but Tom Utley's offering for Saturdy's Daily Telegraph beats all comers for its utter vacuity Lennon is a big girl's blouse. Tom McGurk's normally faultless analysis is majorly undermined by two glaring inaccuracies pointed out by on-line readers at the end of the article.
Amy Lawrence in the Observer quantifies the real cost of such incidents, without apportioning great blame:
"Over to Jim Boyce, the larger-than-life president of IFA. 'The biggest problem we're finding is that our young players who go across the water are not being given a chance because these clubs are full of foreigners. The difference between 1982 and 2002 is that when our players went to England or Scotland, if they had ability they were playing first-team football. Now they are coming back to Northern Ireland in their droves, thoroughly disillusioned.'
"With talent drying up, particularly at a time when the Republic are creating such a stir on the international scene, Lennon's sorry fate could have a devastating long-term impact. Young Catholic players born in Northern Ireland (like their non-Catholic counterparts) have the option of playing for the Republic. Many are taking up that option. 'That would be absolutely criminal,' laments 1980s legend Gerry Armstrong. But can you blame them?"
Ireland on Sunday examines one such case.
Amy Lawrence in the Observer quantifies the real cost of such incidents, without apportioning great blame:
"Over to Jim Boyce, the larger-than-life president of IFA. 'The biggest problem we're finding is that our young players who go across the water are not being given a chance because these clubs are full of foreigners. The difference between 1982 and 2002 is that when our players went to England or Scotland, if they had ability they were playing first-team football. Now they are coming back to Northern Ireland in their droves, thoroughly disillusioned.'
"With talent drying up, particularly at a time when the Republic are creating such a stir on the international scene, Lennon's sorry fate could have a devastating long-term impact. Young Catholic players born in Northern Ireland (like their non-Catholic counterparts) have the option of playing for the Republic. Many are taking up that option. 'That would be absolutely criminal,' laments 1980s legend Gerry Armstrong. But can you blame them?"
Ireland on Sunday examines one such case.
23 August 2002
Police shortage.
Cahal Milmo on the crisis within the new police service. David Pallister in the Guardian says:
"With 10% of the force on sick leave, and more than 730 injured in the past year, Mr Cramphorn said: "The cumulative effect of this is to generate levels of fatigue and tiredness which diminish the effectiveness and the quality of the officers' contributions when they are at work. Such levels of activity cannot be sustained.""
"With 10% of the force on sick leave, and more than 730 injured in the past year, Mr Cramphorn said: "The cumulative effect of this is to generate levels of fatigue and tiredness which diminish the effectiveness and the quality of the officers' contributions when they are at work. Such levels of activity cannot be sustained.""
22 August 2002
Mining history
Brian Walker quotes Macauley with regard to the position of the loyalists of Derry:
"The faults which are normally found in dominant castes have not seldom shown themselves without disguise at her festivities; and even with the expressions of pious gratitude which have resounded from her pulpits have too often been mingled words of wrath and defiance".
And he finishes: "The gerrymander was lifted long ago but its curse still lingers. Nowadays the lesson Protestant Londonderry has to teach the rest of the province is the lesson against triumphalism - Sinn Fein included."
"The faults which are normally found in dominant castes have not seldom shown themselves without disguise at her festivities; and even with the expressions of pious gratitude which have resounded from her pulpits have too often been mingled words of wrath and defiance".
And he finishes: "The gerrymander was lifted long ago but its curse still lingers. Nowadays the lesson Protestant Londonderry has to teach the rest of the province is the lesson against triumphalism - Sinn Fein included."
Various letters
The letters pages in any paper often throw up insights that are not picked up by journalists. There's an interesting reaction to Steven King's piece in yesterday's Belfast Telegraph from Christopher Lyttle:
"Surely unionists have learnt from the past. The problem with the Sunningdale Agreement was that unionism destroyed it and then had no alternative in place. This is a mirror image of today with the DUP shouting from the rooftops about the "Dublin Agreement" but they have not told the people details of any alternative."
There's also a call from a community worker in Short Strand for the police to take action.
"Surely unionists have learnt from the past. The problem with the Sunningdale Agreement was that unionism destroyed it and then had no alternative in place. This is a mirror image of today with the DUP shouting from the rooftops about the "Dublin Agreement" but they have not told the people details of any alternative."
There's also a call from a community worker in Short Strand for the police to take action.
Policing
Several people (unionists and nationalists) have told me that the real policing issue in Northern Ireland is that outside fully manned riot units (DMSUs), there is a huge numbers deficit following the exit of many of the old RUC force. It is beginning to make the papers now, at the end of yet another riotous summer.
The Daily Telegraph editorialises. Mark Simpson highlights the emotional conflict within the nationalist community. Danny Kennedy of the UUP warns Sinn Fein that boycotting the new Police Service could backfire on them.
The Daily Telegraph editorialises. Mark Simpson highlights the emotional conflict within the nationalist community. Danny Kennedy of the UUP warns Sinn Fein that boycotting the new Police Service could backfire on them.
Unionist backroom
Two of the current favourites to become Trimble's successor, Messers Burnside and Donaldson, have applied for permission from the party to stand for the Assembly elections - whenever they come.
On his return from the Camlough Feile Steven King calls Unionists to quit the boycott strategy and take on the Republican opposition on the merits (and de-merits) of their own arguments.
On his return from the Camlough Feile Steven King calls Unionists to quit the boycott strategy and take on the Republican opposition on the merits (and de-merits) of their own arguments.
More on Lennon..
We have the first rash of post-mortems on the LVF death threat against the Northern Ireland captain. Henry Winter says:
"Neil Lennon, one of life's decent citizens, a man who lives for football, family and friends, walked away from the Northern Ireland dressing-room after receiving sectarian death threats. Few would question his sanity if he walked away from the Northern Ireland team for good."
Michael Walker sees an historic precedent, in an excellent and committed piece of writing:
"...Windsor Park has not got a history to boast about. The greatest Irish club side ever, Belfast Celtic (perceived as catholic, although members of my own protestant family played for them), met its demise there in 1948. The centre-forward Jimmy Jones (protestant) was dragged into the paddock where I was to stand innocently decades later and had his leg broken by angry Linfield (protestant) fans.
"Basically they tried to kill Jones, a man from Lurgan, Lennon's town. They failed in that but they got the next best thing, Belfast Celtic. The sons and daughters of that mob will have grown up inheriting hatred of all things Celtic as a result."
Action was taken by the authorities against Belfast Celtic which led to their departure from the Irish League for the last time.
And Rosie Cowan reports on a sports club which has lost 5 members in the last twenty years.
"Neil Lennon, one of life's decent citizens, a man who lives for football, family and friends, walked away from the Northern Ireland dressing-room after receiving sectarian death threats. Few would question his sanity if he walked away from the Northern Ireland team for good."
Michael Walker sees an historic precedent, in an excellent and committed piece of writing:
"...Windsor Park has not got a history to boast about. The greatest Irish club side ever, Belfast Celtic (perceived as catholic, although members of my own protestant family played for them), met its demise there in 1948. The centre-forward Jimmy Jones (protestant) was dragged into the paddock where I was to stand innocently decades later and had his leg broken by angry Linfield (protestant) fans.
"Basically they tried to kill Jones, a man from Lurgan, Lennon's town. They failed in that but they got the next best thing, Belfast Celtic. The sons and daughters of that mob will have grown up inheriting hatred of all things Celtic as a result."
Action was taken by the authorities against Belfast Celtic which led to their departure from the Irish League for the last time.
And Rosie Cowan reports on a sports club which has lost 5 members in the last twenty years.
21 August 2002
Soccer captain in death threat
A belated thanks
To Brendan O'Neill for promoting the Slugger's letter to his A-list of recommended sites and particularly for the co-billing with the CAIN on-line database from the University of Ulster - and a tag line of Peace facts no less!
Brendan's was one the first to make it the Slugger's list of recommended sites. He has written a series of incisive and often witty (a quality so often missing from so much written about Northern Ireland. He has covered topics like Drumcree and sectarianism within the peace process.
He is deputy editor of Spiked online, which has an excellent webpage of articles on Ireland, by Brendan and others.
Brendan's was one the first to make it the Slugger's list of recommended sites. He has written a series of incisive and often witty (a quality so often missing from so much written about Northern Ireland. He has covered topics like Drumcree and sectarianism within the peace process.
He is deputy editor of Spiked online, which has an excellent webpage of articles on Ireland, by Brendan and others.
This month's bizarre headline
Sinn Fein defend DUP's top post - John Kelly of Sinn Fein tells republicans, that they must not seek to dominate unionists. A clear signal from Sinn Fein that it will do business with the DUP after the next election. It also provides an indication that the DUP will not be as hard line in practice as its record and current rhetoric leads many of us to believe when it comes to the crunch.
Eammon McCann asks if Republican violence is as non-sectarian as we are sometimes led to believe.
Eammon McCann asks if Republican violence is as non-sectarian as we are sometimes led to believe.
Street violence continues
The violence at the interfaces continues. There is no shortage of condemnation by unionists and ministers, but as yet there seems to be no viable resolution to whatever cause turns out to be. Des Browne on the Westminster NI team, continues his talks with various parties to find some means to end the violence.
Despite a chilling warning from the INLA, John Murtagh of the IRSP, called for a non-aggression pact between the republican Bogside and loyalist Fountain areas of Derry. He went on to outline his party's attitude towards continuing an 'armed struggle':
"Over the past six years the IRSP and INLA have been re-evaluating, re-examining and renewing, in the light of current realities, our policies and principles. Other republicans believe that the continuation of armed struggle will bring about a Republic; that by clinging to absolutes they can by the purity of their principles convince "the people" to back them. We think they should reconsider and reflect on the dividends of the 30 years of armed struggle."
Despite a chilling warning from the INLA, John Murtagh of the IRSP, called for a non-aggression pact between the republican Bogside and loyalist Fountain areas of Derry. He went on to outline his party's attitude towards continuing an 'armed struggle':
"Over the past six years the IRSP and INLA have been re-evaluating, re-examining and renewing, in the light of current realities, our policies and principles. Other republicans believe that the continuation of armed struggle will bring about a Republic; that by clinging to absolutes they can by the purity of their principles convince "the people" to back them. We think they should reconsider and reflect on the dividends of the 30 years of armed struggle."
19 August 2002
The Blanket
This online magazine gives voice to a surprising variety of views, from Republican, Loyalists and Unionists, reflecting a often unseen, unheard dialogue between all section's of NI society which takes place on a daily basis on the ground here. It's worth adding to your list of favourites.
Newton Emerson, reveiws a political debate at the recent Feile an Phobail in West Belfast.
Ciaran Irvine castigates Bertie Ahern, suggesting that the damage done to the South's economic and social fabric may take decades to repair.
Newton Emerson, reveiws a political debate at the recent Feile an Phobail in West Belfast.
Ciaran Irvine castigates Bertie Ahern, suggesting that the damage done to the South's economic and social fabric may take decades to repair.
DUP or UUP?
In the print edition of the Newsletter, Mervyn Pauley dismisses the likelihood that any deal is possible between the UUP and the DUP:
"...their mutual feelings of loathing, rooted in an unseemly history of interparty feuds, personality bashing and alegations of treachery and double dealing is arguably, as Sherlock Holmes said of Watson - "the one fixed point in a changing world".
If as is widely tipped, the DUP win poll position for the Unionist side of the Assembly, Pauley beleives that the planned DUP's advocacy of the old formula of single-party talks and meetings with the Prime Minister, will undermine its potential impact.
He quotes Reg Empey: "I am sure Gerry Adams is quaking in his boots about that."
"...their mutual feelings of loathing, rooted in an unseemly history of interparty feuds, personality bashing and alegations of treachery and double dealing is arguably, as Sherlock Holmes said of Watson - "the one fixed point in a changing world".
If as is widely tipped, the DUP win poll position for the Unionist side of the Assembly, Pauley beleives that the planned DUP's advocacy of the old formula of single-party talks and meetings with the Prime Minister, will undermine its potential impact.
He quotes Reg Empey: "I am sure Gerry Adams is quaking in his boots about that."
Youth and paramilitries
It seems clear that paramilitary influence in Loyalist and Unionist areas is spreading quickly through the use of 'youth wings'. Even in relatively prosperous areas there is a growing presence of all three major groupings. According to Alan Murray, Ulster Youth Movement (UYM), closely associated with the UDA and the UFF, is using loans to attract new members.
Sectarianism
Billy Hutchinson talks to the Boston Herald about the varieties of sectarianism, from North Belfast to North Belfast.
Trimble again...
Despite a degree of 'ham' rhetoric, Eoghan Harris hits several nails squarely on the head in an 'open letter' to David Trimble. He offer three points for Trimble (and all unionists) to consider:
Firstly, get out and sell the agreement. "...people respond badly to pessimistic politicians. Unionist leaders do not seem to understand that if a political leader wants to be bleak, he should be bleak in a positive way. That means Unionist moderates should be selling the Good Friday Agreement on its merits."
Secondly, do not underestimate Sinn Fein's intention to do right by the agreement. "The second mistake is for Unionists to conflate Sinn Fein's moral cowardice with Sinn Fein's moral intent. The Good Friday Agreement represented a revolutionary advance in republican thinking, was an attempt to redeem the armed struggle and reinvent Irish republicanism."
Finally, the Shinners are not, by and large, covertly sectarian. "These things matter. It means that when dealing with Adams and McGuinness, Unionists are not dealing with sectarian monsters, but with men who went down a dark bloody road, made an epic effort to turn back, but lacked the moral courage to complete the journey by dumping the IRA baggage which continues to hold them back from creating a cultural unity of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter."
Firstly, get out and sell the agreement. "...people respond badly to pessimistic politicians. Unionist leaders do not seem to understand that if a political leader wants to be bleak, he should be bleak in a positive way. That means Unionist moderates should be selling the Good Friday Agreement on its merits."
Secondly, do not underestimate Sinn Fein's intention to do right by the agreement. "The second mistake is for Unionists to conflate Sinn Fein's moral cowardice with Sinn Fein's moral intent. The Good Friday Agreement represented a revolutionary advance in republican thinking, was an attempt to redeem the armed struggle and reinvent Irish republicanism."
Finally, the Shinners are not, by and large, covertly sectarian. "These things matter. It means that when dealing with Adams and McGuinness, Unionists are not dealing with sectarian monsters, but with men who went down a dark bloody road, made an epic effort to turn back, but lacked the moral courage to complete the journey by dumping the IRA baggage which continues to hold them back from creating a cultural unity of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter."
De Klerk at Glencree
I am just back from a weekend spent at the Glencree Summer School, where a variety of speakers gave presentations to a mixed audience from both sides of the Ulster community, the Republic and the UK.
The keynote address was given by the ex-President of South Africa, FW de Klerk. Though it was clear from the discussion that followed his initial address that there were few direct parallels between the circumstances in the two situations, a number of interesting points did arise.
1 The higher echelons of the National Party concluded by the late 1980's that change was not only necessary it was also morally imperative. Around 1987, the party took a 'long hard look at itself. As a result it accepted the need to develop a solution through inner conviction. "It was a moral decision to do what we did. Had we failed to bring justice to the majority it would have be immoral.”
2 They also accepted that the ANC would have to do likewise.
3 Win/win was the ultimate aim. "One sided solutions rarely last the test of time – they often give rise to new conflicts; recriminations; and grievances"
4 Leadership was also crucial. De Klerk claimed, “I spent as much energy and time on taking my party with me as I did in negotiating the new settlement.” So too did Mandela.
5 With regard to cultural identity, with up to 34 parties in South Africa and numerous language groups he emphasised the importance of creating a pluralist state. Later when he said: “Never make a person choose between two different realities in his life – I am both an Afrikaner and a citizen of South Africa. It’s a question of and/and - not and/or!"
The keynote address was given by the ex-President of South Africa, FW de Klerk. Though it was clear from the discussion that followed his initial address that there were few direct parallels between the circumstances in the two situations, a number of interesting points did arise.
1 The higher echelons of the National Party concluded by the late 1980's that change was not only necessary it was also morally imperative. Around 1987, the party took a 'long hard look at itself. As a result it accepted the need to develop a solution through inner conviction. "It was a moral decision to do what we did. Had we failed to bring justice to the majority it would have be immoral.”
2 They also accepted that the ANC would have to do likewise.
3 Win/win was the ultimate aim. "One sided solutions rarely last the test of time – they often give rise to new conflicts; recriminations; and grievances"
4 Leadership was also crucial. De Klerk claimed, “I spent as much energy and time on taking my party with me as I did in negotiating the new settlement.” So too did Mandela.
5 With regard to cultural identity, with up to 34 parties in South Africa and numerous language groups he emphasised the importance of creating a pluralist state. Later when he said: “Never make a person choose between two different realities in his life – I am both an Afrikaner and a citizen of South Africa. It’s a question of and/and - not and/or!"
17 August 2002
Nationalisms
Roderick Dunbar asks, "where have all the socialists gone?", while Newton Emmerson rejoices in the tag of the middle class, declaring loudly that the class war is over! Billy Mitchell argues that the substance of British citizenship is more important than symbols.
"It is not something that can be plucked from the heart as a plaque is torn from a wall or a flag from a flagpole. In spite of Sinn Fein’s outward show of euphoria, and the despondency that this is generating within certain unionist circles, I remain a confident Unionist."
"It is not something that can be plucked from the heart as a plaque is torn from a wall or a flag from a flagpole. In spite of Sinn Fein’s outward show of euphoria, and the despondency that this is generating within certain unionist circles, I remain a confident Unionist."
16 August 2002
James Murray Brown in the FT talks to John White, former spokesman for the now disbanded UDP, and close associate of Johnny Adair. In the course of his interview he says:
"We understood that in a divided society there had to be compromise in the negotiations. But it's anathema to think we can't fly our national flag on public buildings. It's anathema to see that republicans and nationalists are opposing loyalist parades in many parts of the province."
Murray Brown goes on to comment:
"But Mr White believes one of the reasons for the current unrest within loyalism is the lack of a political platform. With no assembly representation, his organisation has had to sit on the sidelines watching what he calls a "steady stream of concessions" given by the government to the IRA."
Johnny Adair's son was injured recently in a punishment shooting carried out by members of his own organisation.
"We understood that in a divided society there had to be compromise in the negotiations. But it's anathema to think we can't fly our national flag on public buildings. It's anathema to see that republicans and nationalists are opposing loyalist parades in many parts of the province."
Murray Brown goes on to comment:
"But Mr White believes one of the reasons for the current unrest within loyalism is the lack of a political platform. With no assembly representation, his organisation has had to sit on the sidelines watching what he calls a "steady stream of concessions" given by the government to the IRA."
Johnny Adair's son was injured recently in a punishment shooting carried out by members of his own organisation.
15 August 2002
Other unionist voices
With David Trimble on holiday, the local papers seem to be giving more space to other Unionist voices.
On the front of today's Irish News is Trevor Ringland, founding member of Unionist pressure group Re-Union, who said last night that though party colleagues were angered by the ongoing attacks at interface areas, it was essential that they condemned the "wrongs of both sides". He went on, "if we want to advance the benefits of living in a British society then we have to unequivocally stand against the wrongs on our own side as well as that originating from Republicans".
In an extensive Op-ed piece for the Belfast Telegraph, Ian Paisley chooses to focus on the significance of the next election than any of the current disturbances on the streets of North and East Belfast. It is a fairly sustained attack on the UUP, blaming them solely for the rise in popularity of Sinn Fein amongst Nationalists, the tone is perhaps less strident (if not conciliatory) in terms of the role of Nationalists in Northern Ireland's future.
"No settlement in Northern Ireland has endured over the last 30 years without the support of both unionists and nationalists. The present arrangements patently lack this. We must work to find a settlement that can command it. This can only be done on the basis of fairness, democracy and accountability for all. It is plainly evident to anyone in Northern Ireland today that there is no prospect of stability under the current arrangements. Any deal, which does not have the endorsement of the DUP, has no chance of long-term survival, whilst any agreement which does have our endorsement, offers a genuine prospect for long-term stability."
He goes on to suggest:
"A deal done with the Ulster Unionist Party alone is a recipe for long-term instability. One reason for the disarray within the UUP and their demise as a serious political force is that they will say anything before an election to win votes and then break every promise afterwards."
Still it remains far from clear exactly what Ian and his party is offering the electorate. It seems he means to be scrupulous in not promising anything concrete, so as not to disappoint when the time comes to deal with the opposition.
Certainly Steven King would like to know. Again in the Belfast Telegraph he looks at a speech Peter Robinson made at Ballymoney in July, and concludes there may be two conflicting strategies at work within the party, emanating from the Leader and the Deputy Leader.
On the front of today's Irish News is Trevor Ringland, founding member of Unionist pressure group Re-Union, who said last night that though party colleagues were angered by the ongoing attacks at interface areas, it was essential that they condemned the "wrongs of both sides". He went on, "if we want to advance the benefits of living in a British society then we have to unequivocally stand against the wrongs on our own side as well as that originating from Republicans".
In an extensive Op-ed piece for the Belfast Telegraph, Ian Paisley chooses to focus on the significance of the next election than any of the current disturbances on the streets of North and East Belfast. It is a fairly sustained attack on the UUP, blaming them solely for the rise in popularity of Sinn Fein amongst Nationalists, the tone is perhaps less strident (if not conciliatory) in terms of the role of Nationalists in Northern Ireland's future.
"No settlement in Northern Ireland has endured over the last 30 years without the support of both unionists and nationalists. The present arrangements patently lack this. We must work to find a settlement that can command it. This can only be done on the basis of fairness, democracy and accountability for all. It is plainly evident to anyone in Northern Ireland today that there is no prospect of stability under the current arrangements. Any deal, which does not have the endorsement of the DUP, has no chance of long-term survival, whilst any agreement which does have our endorsement, offers a genuine prospect for long-term stability."
He goes on to suggest:
"A deal done with the Ulster Unionist Party alone is a recipe for long-term instability. One reason for the disarray within the UUP and their demise as a serious political force is that they will say anything before an election to win votes and then break every promise afterwards."
Still it remains far from clear exactly what Ian and his party is offering the electorate. It seems he means to be scrupulous in not promising anything concrete, so as not to disappoint when the time comes to deal with the opposition.
Certainly Steven King would like to know. Again in the Belfast Telegraph he looks at a speech Peter Robinson made at Ballymoney in July, and concludes there may be two conflicting strategies at work within the party, emanating from the Leader and the Deputy Leader.
Silly season?
Ray O'Hanlon reports on how serious the Ulster 'silly season' can get. It's clear that this term always has grave connotations that don't apply elsewhere. The US-based Irish Echo chooses to lead on the disturbances around Cluan Place, by the Short Strand area.
How appearances deceive in Derry as a mother and daughter from Australia are attacked; though the Irish News report is full of instances of people offering the two tourists concerned free accommodation.
Newshound goes back to 23rd of July to highlight a story in the Seattle Intelligencer, welcoming the IRA apology, perhaps a reminder that not everything that's happened this summer is irretrievably bad news.
How appearances deceive in Derry as a mother and daughter from Australia are attacked; though the Irish News report is full of instances of people offering the two tourists concerned free accommodation.
Newshound goes back to 23rd of July to highlight a story in the Seattle Intelligencer, welcoming the IRA apology, perhaps a reminder that not everything that's happened this summer is irretrievably bad news.
14 August 2002
Back again
Having been out in the wilds of Donegal for the last week and a half, and far far away from even my laptop, I have missed out on a few things I will be trying to pull in over the next few posts. It is hard to maintain a sense of perspective on the news as it hits each day. Long term progressions get missed as the sensations of violence or impending political crises hit the headlines, or dominate the concerns of the key opinion-formers.
Yesterday we sauntered along the historic walls of Derry (or if you insist, Londonderry). Last time I did that it was in the early 70s, when the sky was buzzing with military surveillance and you could nearly have eaten the atmosphere with a knife and fork. Yesterday, the Bogside looked relaxed, even the Bishop Street interface with the protestant Fountain area and scene of some of the worse fighting in 69, seemed no more remarkable than any inner city area of Dublin or Manchester.
The only noise was the quiet dismantling of the army post beside the former First Derry Primary school. No sign of the tension on the workers faces there undoubtedly would have been when the base was last fortified, when they would have been considered 'legitimate targets' by many in the housing developments below the walls. There is now a well worn tourist trail, with the city's Irish identity well to the fore inside the walls, as well as without.
It maybe that Derry is a litmus for where the rest of Northern Ireland is heading. I don't know, but I hope to spend some time back there to find out from some people closer to ground than me.
Yesterday we sauntered along the historic walls of Derry (or if you insist, Londonderry). Last time I did that it was in the early 70s, when the sky was buzzing with military surveillance and you could nearly have eaten the atmosphere with a knife and fork. Yesterday, the Bogside looked relaxed, even the Bishop Street interface with the protestant Fountain area and scene of some of the worse fighting in 69, seemed no more remarkable than any inner city area of Dublin or Manchester.
The only noise was the quiet dismantling of the army post beside the former First Derry Primary school. No sign of the tension on the workers faces there undoubtedly would have been when the base was last fortified, when they would have been considered 'legitimate targets' by many in the housing developments below the walls. There is now a well worn tourist trail, with the city's Irish identity well to the fore inside the walls, as well as without.
It maybe that Derry is a litmus for where the rest of Northern Ireland is heading. I don't know, but I hope to spend some time back there to find out from some people closer to ground than me.
Peace and war
With the hope surrounding meeting of John White and Alex Maskey in the Mayor's parlour, there is a plethora of warnings about the consequences of any further violence. Sinn Fein claim that the UDA is on a sustained campaign of violence that can only end in another death.
In the Irish Times Gerry Morriarty was almost upbeat about the meeting:
"There is still much mutual distrust and suspicion, but at least at face value the fact that they were prepared to break through another political barrier indicated some unity of purpose in addressing the problem of sectarianism. The fact that the meeting lasted more than two hours also raises possibilities of progress."
But rolling out a practical solution may take some time.
Meanwhile as shooting and rioting continue in the interface areas, the new man at UDA North Belfast gives some sense of his own grim determination:
"I am not a bigot. I don't believe in shooting people because of their views. But if they [republicans] hit Protestants, it will be like for like. We have to defend our own people." The UDA, Northern Ireland's biggest loyalist paramilitary organisation with thousands of members in the province, and the other main loyalist terror group, the Ulster Volunteer Force, declared a joint ceasefire in October 1994."
But the general tone reflects the fact that the interface areas are still caught up in a seemingly endless cycle of violence.
In the Irish Times Gerry Morriarty was almost upbeat about the meeting:
"There is still much mutual distrust and suspicion, but at least at face value the fact that they were prepared to break through another political barrier indicated some unity of purpose in addressing the problem of sectarianism. The fact that the meeting lasted more than two hours also raises possibilities of progress."
But rolling out a practical solution may take some time.
Meanwhile as shooting and rioting continue in the interface areas, the new man at UDA North Belfast gives some sense of his own grim determination:
"I am not a bigot. I don't believe in shooting people because of their views. But if they [republicans] hit Protestants, it will be like for like. We have to defend our own people." The UDA, Northern Ireland's biggest loyalist paramilitary organisation with thousands of members in the province, and the other main loyalist terror group, the Ulster Volunteer Force, declared a joint ceasefire in October 1994."
But the general tone reflects the fact that the interface areas are still caught up in a seemingly endless cycle of violence.
07 August 2002
Bigotry
Julie Burchill had the chattering classes chattering, like she rarely has before with a fairly cack-handed attack on Ken Livingstone's support for the London St Patrick's Parade earlier this year. Malachi O'Doherty suggests some may be losing a sense of perspective in reacting so strongly.
Closer to home Nelson McCausland faced criticism for his insistence that sectarianism was not solely an offence of a single community in Northern Ireland.
In Derry though there seems to be a quiet and potentially very powerful transformation is already taking place. The Apprentice Boys march next week will take place in the context of the Maiden City Festival, an event drawing support of people and clergy of both sides of the community there.
Closer to home Nelson McCausland faced criticism for his insistence that sectarianism was not solely an offence of a single community in Northern Ireland.
In Derry though there seems to be a quiet and potentially very powerful transformation is already taking place. The Apprentice Boys march next week will take place in the context of the Maiden City Festival, an event drawing support of people and clergy of both sides of the community there.
Calm before the storm
Though the summer has been accompanied with its share of tragedy, Kevin Connelly sees real change coming in the longer term.
It's the silly season in NI. Many politicians are away on holiday taking stock of the summers activities, and the uncertainty surrounding the 'peace process', or grabbing a bit of sane 'downtime'. Sinn Fein speculate on early election strategy by the UUP.
Among Unionists there seems little space for compromisers, as Duncan Shipley Dalton prepares himself for an early exit!
It's the silly season in NI. Many politicians are away on holiday taking stock of the summers activities, and the uncertainty surrounding the 'peace process', or grabbing a bit of sane 'downtime'. Sinn Fein speculate on early election strategy by the UUP.
Among Unionists there seems little space for compromisers, as Duncan Shipley Dalton prepares himself for an early exit!
02 August 2002
Going to Ireland..
From Monday I will be in Ireland for three weeks. Though posting may be less regular, I hope to bring you more direct accounts of political and cultural life in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland not going to WSSD?
Tim Butcher reports that the First Minister may be blocked from representing Northern Ireland at the World Summit for Sustainable Development.
Earlier this year Dermot Nebitt's private secretary laid out the measures the Minister was taking in preparation for the conference.
Northern Ireland Friends of the Earth were taken by surprise:
"The local Executive has responsibility for things like trade and environment. It is going to important that all the devolved authorities have their voices heard at the Summit, without them it is likely to be a bit of a farce with the US dominating everything. We may not count for much individually, but with other regional assemblies our smaller voices can count for a lot. It is a very serious situation if we are to be excluded."
Earlier this year Dermot Nebitt's private secretary laid out the measures the Minister was taking in preparation for the conference.
Northern Ireland Friends of the Earth were taken by surprise:
"The local Executive has responsibility for things like trade and environment. It is going to important that all the devolved authorities have their voices heard at the Summit, without them it is likely to be a bit of a farce with the US dominating everything. We may not count for much individually, but with other regional assemblies our smaller voices can count for a lot. It is a very serious situation if we are to be excluded."
Beyond fatalism?
Brian Walker quotes from an essay by Arthur Aughy from a collection called Aspects of the Belfast Agreement, suggesting that unionists need to break out of what Aughy calls "an orgy of self-pity and culture of fatalism".
Meanwhile, despite numerous protests against sectarianism, trouble continues on the ground in North Belfast.
Meanwhile, despite numerous protests against sectarianism, trouble continues on the ground in North Belfast.
01 August 2002
Trimble vs Reid?
Veteran journalist from the BBC and now the Belfast Telegraph Eric Waugh examines the relationship between the Secretary of State and the erstwhile (well this is Northern Ireland) First Minister. He comments on the difficulties of d'Hondt mechanism for deciding cabinet positions:
"In a normal Cabinet, Ministers are riven by jealousies and may hate the sight of each other: they usually do. ...but they are obliged to present a united front to the public eye in the over-riding interest of the survival of the administration. The weakness of the Assembly's wobbly structure is that the Stormont Ministers are relieved of this responsibility."
Stephen King seems to be slightly more sanguine that most Unionists at the moment. Dennis Kennedy is less so:
"More than four years later (after the Agreement was signed) the IRA is still an active armed terrorist army, as are the loyalists. Nationalists are more, not less nationalist, and on the unionist side the moderates are under siege from the DUP. In north and east Belfast the tribal battle is fought out on the streets. This is not what was meant to happen."
Sinn Fein remain the devil incarnate for some.
"In a normal Cabinet, Ministers are riven by jealousies and may hate the sight of each other: they usually do. ...but they are obliged to present a united front to the public eye in the over-riding interest of the survival of the administration. The weakness of the Assembly's wobbly structure is that the Stormont Ministers are relieved of this responsibility."
Stephen King seems to be slightly more sanguine that most Unionists at the moment. Dennis Kennedy is less so:
"More than four years later (after the Agreement was signed) the IRA is still an active armed terrorist army, as are the loyalists. Nationalists are more, not less nationalist, and on the unionist side the moderates are under siege from the DUP. In north and east Belfast the tribal battle is fought out on the streets. This is not what was meant to happen."
Sinn Fein remain the devil incarnate for some.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)