The press commonly brands the IRA as terrorists and puts the blame for the impasse on them.

I won't excuse everything the IRA has done, but the real intransigeants are the Ulster unionists. They are the ones who have blocked the peace process after the IRA has observed a cease fire for many years now--thus surrendering its only weapon against the Protestant Ascendancy.

Moreover, while the IRA have almost always issued warnings before bombing targets, and have avoided indiscriminate violence against innocent bystanders, the Protestant extremists have frequently murdered at random Catholic civilians who happened to be handy, in pubs, in the streets, and in their homes.

The repudiation of David Trimble as too moderate--even though he has stubbornly refused to deal honestly with the IRA or to match their concessions with anything in return--is another typical sign of Protestant intransigeance.

Not so "breaking." Posted yesterday. Michael

This story is old news, happened yesterday.

Did you sleep through Friday?

Ulster Unionists are among some of the most intransigent obstacles to peace in Ireland. The UDF has committed appaling acts of terrorism. None of this gives any justiication to the IRA - a terrorist organisation that has for years derailed the possibility of peace and justice for the Irish people by their indefensible campaigns of indiscriminate murder. Horrors have been committed by both sides. Just when peace was near we have this. Shame on them.

Sorry Freepers, I was not aware it was posted yesterday. It was put as Breaking News on the NewsoftheWorld website today. My apologies

I offer my thanks.....I visit FR about six times a day and missed that article. Not exactly a high crime or misdemeanor!!!! Interesting article tho........another piece of mr. bill's legacy.

Just last night on Charley Rose Gerry Adams seemed to regard Trimble's defeat as a temporary setback. According to Adams, today and tomorrow there will be retrenchment among the smaller parties who voted against Trimble. Adams suggested that these small parties were out-maneuvered by the hardliners and never really expected Trimble to lose. On Monday another vote will be taken. Trimble may yet become First Leader.

I don't have any dog in the fight in Ireland but the fact that the British might suspend the results of the election and hold a new one after giving Trimble time to gather more support seems like a damned undemocratic way to go about running a democracy. We have had several bond elections similar to this where the motive was to wear the opposition down and force the result that the elite wanted.

I understand your objections but keep in mind this was not a general election. It was a vote by party leaders, a parliamentary procedure. Under cross community voting procedures, Trimble and nationalist SDLP minister Mark Durkan's bid to be First and Deputy First Ministers must get the support of 50% plus one among unionist members of the assembly and 50% plus one among nationalist members of the assembly.

They failed by a few votes.

The rules allow for re-votes under certain conditions. If those re-votes, which will probably be held on Monday, fail to elect Trimble and Durkan, then a call for a new general election would be required.

Slinging rubbish from the Crossmaglen barracks with a helicopter is just bad economics.

I pray they get it together.

None of this gives any justiication to the IRA

What exactly (or generally) gives any justification for the Brits to rule six counties of Ireland?

EMPIRE

Some paperwork in the 1930's.

Some paperwork in the 1930's.

If memory serves, it was a bit earlier than the 1930's. The partitioning agreement was reached between the Brits and a rep from the 26. And then the Irish fought a civil war over it which ended in 1921 I believe.

The Brits have been there for hundreds of years and there have been repeated uprisings during that time.

Churchill had offered DeValera the six during the Blitz, in return for Irish support for the war effort, but DeValera, that brilliant tactical genius and economics wizard turned him down flat.

They ought to give Ulster dominion status and let Sinn Fein and the Protestant militants fight it out. There was never an independent "united" Ireland, unless you count Brian Boru and his cup of coffee of a kingdom.

Indeed, far before Trimble lost, peace was lost

True. Peace was lost about the time Britain invaded and conquered. There has been an Irish uprising approximately every generation for centuries.

generous offer of peace by the British people

Just like the Yanks of old, the Irish can't seem to be properly receptive when met by British offers of generosity.