10 Years of Peace
Coincidentally, our trip to Northern Ireland comes 10 years after the peace treaty and it’s getting some press here in Europe. In this day when bashing democracy seems to be quite normal in parts of the world, it seems democracy is winning and in some cases thriving. Yes a ton of money has been pumped into the north, but as one man told me “they are beginning to see that peace and prosperity solves a few problems.” He continued, “Many of the fighters are now politicians!”
Here’s an article on the issues. NORTHERN Ireland has enjoyed a massive fall in unemployment and an influx of new workers in the decade since the historic Good Friday agreement, new figures show.
It now outperforms every region of the UK except for the south-west, with only 4.2 per cent of its population out of work.
At the same time, the “peace dividend” has seen a long-standing pattern of emigration swapped for immigration, as it attracts migrants from new European Union member states such as Poland.
Figures from Westminster dramatically illustrate the effects on both sides of the religious divide since paramilitary action ended.
Some 18,558 people claimed unemployment benefit in the four Belfast parliamentary constituencies in January 1997.
But by January, this had fallen to 6,698 - an astonishing 64 per cent drop.
Across the province, around 100,000 more people are in work and the 4.2 per cent unemployment rate outperforms Scotland (4.9 per cent), the UK (5.2 per cent) and London (6.6 per cent).
Northern Ireland economics consultant John Simpson said the economic recovery had been “dramatic”. But he warned that the economic turn-around “cannot be date-stamped at Easter 1998″ and there was still widespread deprivation. Average weekly earnings in Northern Ireland stood at £330 last year - compared with £375 for the UK as a whole.
The figures emerged as politicians yesterday debated the legacy of the Good Friday agreement that restored - after several faltering starts - a devolved government and assembly to Northern Ireland.
The deal was struck in 1998 after many days and nights of painstaking negotiations and with the encouragement of the then prime minister Tony Blair and the former US president Bill Clinton.
The 108-member assembly took power in December 1999, though direct rule from London resumed temporarily in 2002 when devolution collapsed due to bitter arguments about the refusal of the IRA to decommission its weapons and the suspicion of a republican spy ring existing at Stormont.
Power returned in 2007 after an election left Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists and Martin McGuinness’s Sinn Fein in command. This saw men who were once the bitterest of enemies work alongside each other as First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
Concerns remain about the presence of sectarian hatred and violence. However, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, reformed as the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is well on its way to the target of having 30 per cent Catholic officers by 2011.
Of the 450 loyalist and republican prisoners released early under the Good Friday deal, only 20 have had their licences revoked.
In 2005 the IRA ended its armed campaign and British troops now number 5,000.
Billy Hutchinson, a former Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) assembly member from north Belfast, said: “Sectarianism is still alive and well. People are still living in disadvantage and the only thing changed is the more peaceful atmosphere.”
But former Northern Ireland minister Paul Murphy said: “The Good Friday agreement has most certainly stood the test of time. We must remember that without the agreement, none of this would have been possible.”
Memories of a new dawn
DAVID ANDREWS (Irish Government - Fianna Fail): “I remember politicians desperately trying to grab some sleep in the negotiation rooms as the deadline for agreement loomed.
“I also recall the conclusion was very sudden. I remember George Mitchell set the final deadline and then a phone call from (US President) Bill Clinton to (Ulster Unionist leader) David Trimble sealed the deal.
EILEEN BELL (Alliance Party): “I suppose one of the most striking memories I have is of some pretty senior republicans and loyalists queuing up for food that week and watching them engage each other in conversation. It may have only been only about the food, but it was remarkable to see former enemies engaging.”
MARTIN McGUINNESS (Sinn Fein): “After the agreement was forged… I ran into a republican ex-woman prisoner in my home city who had spent a long time in Armagh Jail and I asked her ‘What do you think?’
“Her response was ‘Martin, what do you think?’ and when I said I thought we had done the right thing, she said: ‘That’s all right for me’.
“I have to say it was bit scary and humbling that people were putting so much faith in our leadership.”
LIZ O’DONNELL (Irish Government - Progressive Democrats): “The people who made the greatest political sacrifices suffered most. I think history will be fairer to David Trimble.”
Tags: democracy, europe, northern ireland
Share This
Adam Housley has been with FNC since 2001 as a Los Angeles-based
correspondent. He has covered news ranging from wildfires in California
to political unrest in Venezuela and was one of the few reporters who
witnessed the execution of Stanley “Tookie” Williams. 
Is Adam going to Greece or not?
Adam,
you hear anything from the Jeruslem bureau about whats going …… if so write it up…. Im confused …..
War - no war - maybe - ????????? Grrrrr
LDG: can you make it snow where i live?
LDG,
YESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!! THX
Patty:
Thanks for the info.
I appreciate all the kind comments
with myself & my son! He has
always loved history!
@Avi
I need to be going, and won’t be back for a while, so if you see this in time take heed.
Weather Report for your region:
Heavy Weather with projectile rain and possible flooding along the borders predicted in the next 18~36 hours. Say 50~60% chance.
Be well and safe.
((departs, unfortunately))
@Susan-AZ
Neither my family here nor Japan in general celebrates Easter. My wife was raised Christian to a point, but does not seem to practice. I, not being Christian, must content myself with a good Vernal Equinox party to welcome in the season of nature’s rebirth.
“what kind of Japanese food do you and Foxy like?”
I guess answering “all kinds” would not be helpful. Let’s see, I like pretty much anything put in front of me: the very good local rice, noodles of various types, the local vegetables and pickles, fish, shellfish, pork, beef, chicken, even the more ‘challenging’ items like seaweed, natto and umeboshi
My wife, even having grown up in one of the best places for fresh fish, can not abide raw fish. She also has no liking for natto.
Were I to suggest a favorite, I would say oden in winter, it is a kind of stew, and zarusoba cold service buckwheat noodles in summer.
Avi…Always thinking/talking military would either scrare me or bore me…im not sure which would happen first. I just cant imagine… when we lived so tucked away here. Big cities are atleast 75 miles away…largest population is approx 2000 where we live. Its quiet, we watch out for each other. and many times… know too much about other families. ha ha
Stay safe!!
LDG–
It is Monday by you so did you have Easter Sunday yesterday?
Before I leave, my question to you– what kind of Japanese food do you and Foxy like?
xxxx
Morning all–
LDG– You can get the worried look off your face- I understood– Imagine this scenario here in the US– Boy would we have some angry people–
Hockey– well, I am glad someone’s team is doing well-
And around 6:00, Ken and I go out to the backyard and he waters for me and I have been on a pull weeds job– It is so pretty at this time– The street is busy again with the kids outside playing basketball- It is kind of neat! Now in about two months, my moaning will start-
Patty- It has been rather warm here lately– But when I look at the other states and see what the weather brings, I give thanks to living here– My heating/AC bill was only $57.00- the lowest it has ever been!
Sounds like you had a nice day yesterday. We are going to go to Church here in a bit– And then over to Ken’s sister’s– I have been up since 6:00 a.m. doing the kitchen thing– cooking-
Avi– Hizbullah needs to take some chill pills– You can’t even have a holiday without having the security personnel deployed to keep things safe– What does your mom cook for the holidays?
Max– still no sign of Adam?
xxxxxx
Avi: i wish the snow would have stayed, but it’s gone already. Did you have any snow this winter?
I wish winter was colder here. How hot is it there?
*sends you some hail*
Patty,
it got nixed,
the guy is bringing this other guy to talk about the military but not about democracy and military ( the class wanted him to bring this guy to talk about jobs in the army )
the kids in my class dont care much about the news soo he didnt bother
so he wrote down questions for the guy so he comes prepared — perhaps tomarrow… nothing special…
Tuesday we got a trip to the North and we end the day at a leading hebrew daily newspaper printing place….
wednesday —- the Airforce is coming to talk to the whole school and then indivdual classes for a total of 4 hours or so …. some national program going on in all Highschools to rev up appreciation for the Army and Airforce and Israel as a whole!
I hope a War dont break out the next few days…. which would suck …..
Syria Deploys Three Military Divisions on the Border with Lebanon
Syria has deployed three military divisions along the borders with Lebanon amidst mounting tension in the region, press reports said Sunday.
The leading daily an-Nahar attributed the report to well informed sources, noting that the deployment backs a similar massing of fighters by pro-Syrian Palestinian factions in the Bekaa valley, especially Ahmed Jibril’s Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) in the Qoussayah area.
The development followed Hizbullah’s open war declaration against Israel after the Feb. 12 assassination in Damascus of the party’s Imad Mughniyeh by a bomb explosion.
Hizbullah is sponsoring a major rally in south Beirut’s suburb of Rweis on Monday to commemorate Mughniyeh, labeled commander of the “two victories” in reference to the Liberation of south Lebanon from Israeli occupation in May 2000 and the 34-day war against Israel in the summer of 2006.
Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has pledged that “thousands of Imad Mughniyehs would confront the Zionist enemy if it invades Lebanon.”
Israel has ordered its troops on alert to confront a possible attack by Hizbullah operatives when the party marks Mughniyeh’s memorial rally on Monday, 40 days after his assassination.
Avi…didn’t you get to go to a military thing a week ago or so? I cant remember what it was for sure, but you were excited about it.
I see Susan will be hot today, the weather said 90’s in AZ! YIKES! I dont like the cold, but not that hot either! Its supposed to be in the upper 40’s today here. 70 would be better! ha ha
Good morning Adam and everyone, it is a beautiful start to the day here in KS.
My heart goes out to all those affected by the awful floods and severe weather.
Most of our family was together yesterday and is now gone, today is restful and reflectful (is that a word?).
FYI…Since you all brought in the sports last night……..Kansas University (KU #1 seed in Midwest) is still rockin on!!!
Although Kansas State U. (KSU) lost last night… it was nice to see both there for a few games.
Adam’s Mom…have patience, you will catch up and catch on
Keep asking questions, and we will help.
I don’t know that there was a defining moment. I just gravitated to Adam’s way of telling a story and I trust Adam’s judgement on those stories. 
I think Adam and the people here were more of a defining moment than anything, as you have heard, its a great group. I’ve hung around one other blog and people were so rude, that wasn’t for me.
You asked how we started blogging? Humm…I’ve followed Adam’s reports for what seems like “forever”. I’d read his articles/blog on his web page many times, then he brought it here, where we could actually comment. The blogging started…weeeelll…. I’m not sure, but I hear there is a 12 step program to help us! *LOL* just kidding
When Adams puts up a debatable story, We agree to disagree, without lashing out at anyone. We get pretty fired up at times.
Max,
do you want to send the snow, rain, and coldness over???/
Its fricken HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT HERE TODAY—- HOTTEST ITS BEEN IN A WHILE……
TERRIBLE HEATNESS — I WANT WINTER BACK
oo BTW
THE NEXT 2 WEEKS SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO WATCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST ….
Susan: the storms, hail and snow have all been over my house. But the snow has melted now
@Susan-AZ
“…need a brief lesson again–” re McGuinness in the Government of N.I.
Heh. this time it is current events, but here goes:
The major pro-Irish Republic political party in Northern Ireland is called Sinn Fein (sounds sort of like “seen fawn” in English). It is politely overlooked these days that it is the political wing of the Provisional-IRA militancy. Now note that all the territories of the U.K. use a parliamentary system that looks not at all like the U.S. congressional/executive system, so all the roles will seem odd if this is your first exposure to them. The head of the Party (titled President, If I recall correctly) is Mr. Gerry Adams. It is “his” party, in that he leads the central committee and can make all appointments to any Cabinet position his party wins, or is allowed to have by a coalition government. Right now, Northern Ireland has a coalition government (more than one party controls the Cabinet). The Cabinet position of Deputy First Minister is one position the Sinn Fein has been awarded as part of the government. Mr. Martin McGuinness is the appointee from the party that holds that job.
Were I to make a scenario in the U.S. government that would sort of look the same, I would offer this: (a) Imagine that neither G.W. Bush nor J. Kerry won the presidency outright, but that the G.O.P. was *slightly* ahead. then (b) the Democrats and the Republicans decide to run the country together, with a Republican President and a Democratic V.P. and with half the Cabinet Secretariats held by each party. then (c) Mr. Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, would have the power to appoint nominees for those Cabinet Secretariats allocated to the Democrats in the agreement to share power. lastly (d) H. Dean then choses to appoint someone other than J. Kerry to be Vice President, but gives Kerry the Secretary of State job. that would look kind of like the coalition situation, but it is purely *a scenario* for example’s sake.
I hope that helped ((worried look))
@Susan-AZ
“LDG– Ducks- 2 (thanks to Teemu) Coyotes- 1
“Coyotes are not doing too well- (me sad for Ken )”
me, sad for Ken too. At least your boys made a game of it, and better luck next go. If I might offer a happy thought to counter out some of the disappointment: Pens 7- Devils 1. Catch the highlights on FOXSports if you can, or the NHL website, ’cause it was a fun day to be a Pittsburgh fan.
@All
Happy holiday!
If you open the link for the Pope, click on the first article on the right about him doing the baptism and you will catch the video and it really is a must watch!
OK–
These were my Easter contributions–
xxxxxxx
And the Pope has been busy too-
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8VIR44G0&show_article=1
Last Updated: 21/03/2008 13:01
Christians throng to Jerusalem
Thousands of Christians from across the world crowded the stone alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City today, retracing the route Jesus took to his crucifixion.
Some Good Friday pilgrims carried large wooden crosses as they walked down the Via Dolorosa, or Way of Sorrows, stopping at 14 stations that commemorate events that befell Jesus as he was led to his death.
Many prayed in the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally the site of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
Some chanted hymns, while others prostrated themselves on a smooth stone slab marking the spot where Jesus’ body was placed after being removed from the cross.
Police said thousands of security personnel were deployed around Jerusalem because of Good Friday and the Jewish festival of Purim, which also falls this weekend.
Jews celebrate Purim by dressing up in costumes and reading the Book of Esther, which recounts a victory by the Jews over their enemies in ancient Persia.
Police are also on high alert because of fears of a revenge attack for the February assassination of a high-ranking commander in the Lebanese militant group Hizbullah. Israel denied involvement, but Hizbullah threatened to avenge his death with an attack on Israeli targets.
check out how the Filipinos recognize Easter– OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0321/breaking14.htm
Speaking of Belfast– white Easter too-
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/daily-imports/article3538735.ece
Britian braces for white Easter–
Max– I hope you and Adam don’t get caught up with the bad weather–
http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=7861803
post not going through–
LDG– Ducks- 2 (thanks to Teemu) Coyotes- 1
Coyotes are not doing too well- (me sad for Ken
)
xxxx
Mrs. Housley–
You have some reading to do in the Northern Ireland subject– various people dropped you some messages–
I am saying pleasant day to all–
nite–
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOO
LDG—
I went back in time– December on your wife’s site and I left a couple questions- I think I found you and Foxy–
Happy Easter or whatever you may call it in your neck of the woods— but I hope you all have a nice day and you spend it with loved ones-
Mrs. Housley–
I hope you have a great day tomorrow– no Adam–
BUT, I bet he is going to have pretty gifts from his traveling-
Max and LDG- thanks for the heads up on the ferris wheel- Makes me want to ride it- Next Wednesday, Ken, my daughter, and I are going to the Wild Life Zoo and last time I was there I wanted to ride the carrousel but I didn’t get the chance- Well, I am this time around-
LDG–
I need a brief lesson again–
—-right to attribute the Deputy First Minister’s position to Martin McGuinness. My question on the fact check was as to the attribution of Sinn Fein being “his” political party.—–
If I don’t get back right away it is because I am getting ready for Easter– It will be nice for Ken as he gets to see his family- which sadly, is not often– Exception-his mom- We do see her frequently– I mentioned she is 90- 91 in a few months– She is my favorite– she goes and goes-
Bless all of you and I hope everyone enjoys their week-end–
Avi- are you still celebrating Purim?
Max– where is Adam? any news?
Link to Belfast City Hall- I like Adam’s picture better– I think because of the lighting-
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=2782
@FL Sunshine
look here and you can see the empty land and nearby homes, and the land ceremony pictures:
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/princess_foxy/c/82ead07a915be560ac643ac937c9297f/2
Addenda: missed the completion question. We’ll be finished and ready to move in by late May.
@FL Sunshine
“…- stopped by your wife’s website. Great pics.”
Thank you kindly! There is a grand total of one thread there that has us pictured, so far. It is actually the first “House” thread, about our land ceremony before construction started. It is a side view and we are just part of the scene. But fear not if you missed it. Our 5th wedding anniversary is next week, and I have put in a request for a couple of our wedding (formal ceremony) pictures to go up in a thread on that day.
“The house is beautiful and looks very “American”. Do other homes there look like yours?”
It does, and that was the intention of my wife *and our builder*, who had the very unconventional idea of building a little bit of America in this corner of Japan. –As to other houses appearence, well, no they don’t look at all like ours.– Most houses here are built by “housing companies” that follow a pattern that looks a bit like modern european suburban development, with some local preferences like some have tile roofs… And yes, it is darn silly to put a heavy roof on a house in earthquake country. I’ll put in a request to see if we can post some pictures of the neighborhood and then you can see the contrast.
@ Mom,
Welcome! We all love your son and hope to see him “coming to a town near you”. If I’m not mistaken….so far Susan has met him and Max is going to meet him. Lucky dogs!
LDG - stopped by your wife’s website. Great pics. At least I don’t need those to be translated.
I wonder…where are the pictures of you two? hmmmm
How much longer until it is complete? Are you doing any of the work yourselves?
The house is beautiful and looks very “American”. Do other homes there look like yours? curious minds want to know.
Avi - how is Easter celebrated over there?
Happy Easter to everyone! I doubt I will log on tomorrow. We will celebrate the resurrection of Christ tomorrow at church and then have a HUGE family dinner at my parents house with family and extended family.
Thank God America still has Easter on the calendar!
Mom..
yes, I think we’ve all given little mini bio’s over on the Ireland post…
@Mom
I’ll trust that ‘Mrs. Housley’ is the correct reference. I saw your inquiry about me over on the other thread and shall post a summary over there. My thanks for your trouble to ask.
@Susan-AZ and Mom
The picture at the top of this thread is Belfast City Hall, and that is a ferris wheel shown nearby.
ADDENDA to my post above:
I want to be clear: Adam Housley had it right to attribute the Deputy First Minister’s position to Martin McGuinness. My question on the fact check was as to the attribution of Sinn Fein being “his” political party.
Happy Easter right back at ya, Mrs. Housley.
I’m Jennifer. Nice to *meet* you. I’m kind of a part-timer on this blog. A husband, four kids (and all their activities), three cats, two dogs, church ministry and teaching takes up 99% of my time. The rest is chilling out and recovering to do it all again the next day.
But I love it.
I pray everyone is having a safe and restful Resurrection weekend. Check ya later!
Beautiful picture Adam, I think its the big wheel
(forgot the name) in London?
Again, Happy Easter everyone!
Susan: IDK. And i think it is a ferris wheel.
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter do you Folks
And Happy Easter to all–
Positive article—-
Max– where is Adam?
and what is that thing next to the building? It looks like a ferris wheel?
In case this got lost on the other thread, Happy Easter one and all..
@Adam Housley
Thank you again so much for writing of all this.
A minor fact check, to help either you or me get this right. You posted:
“Power returned in 2007 after an election left Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists and Martin McGuinness’s Sinn Fein in command.”
I am near certain that McGuinness has never had control of the Sinn Fein Party. Gerry Adams remains the President (If I recall his party title rightly). More, the senior Paisley has recently retired. Now that wouldn’t change a statement about the ‘07 vote, but the subsitution of McG for Adams is worth checking.
now an opinion:
Also when reporting the Good Friday Accords, attribution of the success to the UKPM and POTUS at the time rather downplays a fellow named George Mitchell’s role.
When my mother visited Northern Island the first store she saw when getting to the city was a Polish food store. Apprently they now also have Polish language inserts in the newspapers there.
Adam: Did you get my email last night? Do you have any idea yet which day you’re going to be near me?