| A NEW AGE FOR ULSTER (9.05.2007) |
| (2007-05-09) |
| Last updated: 2007-05-09 20:02 EET |
Starting May 8th 2007, a power-sharing government will be in place bringing together two communities torn apart by hatred since the 17th century. This is when Protestant settlers from Scotland and England were brought to the island’s north east to increase the Kingdom’s authority.
In the late 1960’s, Catholic militants of the IRA (the Irish Republican Army) attacked British troops. In turn, Protestant groups tried to defend the British regime, by killing Catholics. The 30-year old conflict claimed the lives of more than 3,500 people.
Now after a 4-year institutional deadlock, Northern Irish politicians, both Protestants and Catholics have returned to the table of negotiations and have taken a huge step forward. Northern Ireland has entered an age of peace, with 81-year-old Protestant vicar Ian Paisley being sworn in as a prime minister of the local government. British prime minister Tony Blair, another important figure of this historic moment, added that Northern Ireland has the opportunity to close the door on its bitter memories. Conflict-marred centuries, marked by animosity and hatred among the island’s population make up the local history.
But now it looks like the people of Northern Ireland may escape history’s prison. Peace is not impossible and the conflict is not inevitable on condition Northern Ireland observes the principle of co-operation between Protestants and Catholics.
And British minister for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, talked about the ‘dawn’ of a new age, and the promising relationship between Protestant Paisley and Catholic McGuinness. The event did not go unnoticed in Washington, which regards it a step forward, nor in New York, where UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon hailed the historic stage towards a peaceful future for the people of Northern Ireland.
(Roxana Vasile)
|
2025-04-03
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