Heaven, hell and Irish politics

Article Abstract:

There is now extreme sectarian hatred in Northern Ireland, according to some observers. Catholics have lost faith in the UK government and the British Army, while Protestants feel that their suffering at the hands of the IRA has been ignored. This pessimism is not shared by Gerry Adams, the political representative of the IRA, who feels that it will be possible to secure peace if the British can face up to Unionism. Dr Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, believes that Protestantism is on the increase, and rejects any idea of direct negotiations with Gerry Adams.

Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Adams, Gerry, Paisley, Ian

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Back to Belfast

Article Abstract:

Northern Ireland is theoretically part of the UK, but conditions there are in fact very different there from on the mainland. The UK government has very little practical understanding of Northern Ireland's Protestants and Catholics, and the Northern Irish in turn mistrust British politicians. Belfast is now in a semi-peaceful situation, and this has prompted a modest revival in trading and social activities. However, there are many underlying ways in which Belfast resembles divided cities and regions in the Middle East.

Social aspects, Belfast, Northern Ireland

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A Kalashnikov in every cupboard

Article Abstract:

The UK government has made the decommissioning of terrorist weapons a precondition for all-party talks on the future of Northern Ireland. This approach overlooks the fact that the warring sides are very unlikely to want to give up their arms until a peace agreement has actually been signed. Even then, they may still wish to retain some weapons in case fighting breaks out again. This was certainly the case after the end of the Irish civil war in 1923.

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