Northern Ireland Unionist Leader Meets With Prime Minister of Ireland

[Errigal]

Ahern and Paisley's handshake melts away decades of suspicion

From:ireland.com
Thursday, 5th April, 2007



They said it could never be done. After decades of bigotry and hatred and suspicion, the shattered lives, the heartbreak and the hurt; the fear, the cynicism, the false dawns; the oceans of empty talk and the acres of newsprint, the god-awful spirit-sapping sameness of it all.Was this it? Could this really be it? Yes. Pinch yourself. Remember the date: Easter Week, April 4th, 2007. A momentous day in Irish history and joy it was to be there.
It took an epic journey to prove it, but politics truly is the art of the possible. For years, as the tortured progress of the Northern Ireland peace process stuttered along, politicians and pundits talked of choreography. Positive developments seemed less important than the race to spot which party put a foot wrong.
There was no such talk at Farmleigh House yesterday, where the choreography was purely celestial. The grounds, bathed in glorious spring sunshine, carpets of daffodils and blue wood anemones provided a fitting backdrop for the extraordinary events to come.
Three minutes to 11 and word came through: "They're at the gate." Two cars rolled up the gravelled driveway. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern emerged from the old mansion, patting down his jacket as he waited to welcome his guest.
No big ceremony was laid on for Ian Paisley. His presence supplied the fanfare. Bertie bustled over, a wide smile on his face. Dr Paisley, the old warhorse, sprang from the car and met him halfway.
"Good morning!" boomed the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. "I have to shake this man's hand! Give him a grip!"
With arm outstretched, he made an enthusiastic lunge for the Taoiseach. They shook hands. Bertie grasped the top of Big Ian's arm. Big Ian gave Bertie a manly wallop on the shoulder. They were like two auld farmers at a mart, striking a deal over a bullock.
The media looked on, dumbstruck. Ian Paisley of the Free Presbyterian Church, the Dr No of hardline Northern unionism, in Dublin and doing business with the leader of the Irish Republic in a building built on the proceeds of beer.
And that was it, the moment in Ireland's history we thought we would never see. Seismic, earth-shattering and over in a minute - but the symbolic importance of that handshake cannot be underestimated.
Countless lives and lifetimes to get to here. But at last, when Bertie met Ian, courage and hope finally got the chance to shine.
The meeting took place in the Library room. They sat opposite each other at a small square table. They ate egg and cress sandwiches and drank pots of tea. The mood was friendly and very relaxed, like they had been having these little tete-a-tetes for years.
The two men discussed practical issues, such as investment projects and tourism initiatives. Dr Paisley, who had previously only visited the Pope's heathen South to protest, marvelled at the growth of Dublin.
The atmosphere was friendly. There were no awkward moments.
Next month, Ian Paisley takes office as Northern Ireland's first minister, sharing power with Sinn Féin. The soon-to-be legislator and his vastly experienced Dublin counterpart swapped ideas.
They talked about the Battle of the Boyne site in Co Louth. Bertie invited Ian to visit it with him. Ian accepted and said he might even drop in for a preliminary look on his way home.
Their meeting went on longer than intended. Afterwards, they walked together into the sunlight. The media scrutinised their body language. It was good.
Taoiseach Ahern was beaming. Dr Paisley looked very relaxed. Bertie spoke first.
"At this important time in our history, we must do our best to put behind us the terrible wounds of our past and work together to build a new relationship between our two traditions." Big Ian nodded in agreement. "The future for this island has never been brighter. I believe that this is a future of peace, reconciliation and rising prosperity for all."
Then it was the Doc's turn. We remembered the man who spat fire and venom at politicians from the South. We remembered the man who marched to Carson's statue and swore "No Surrender!"
We remembered the man who was jostled and jeered when the Belfast Agreement was endorsed by the people of the North and we remembered the survivor who used that unswerving opposition to revive his political fortunes.
The voice is not as strong as it once was, but the preacher can still impart a message. "Some say hedges make the best neighbours, but that is not the case. I don't believe we should plant a hedge between our two countries," he began.
Journalists who have been writing about Ian Paisley for 30 years looked on in wonder. Was this really happening? As he spoke of being a proud Ulster man, it was hard not to feel moved. Spellbound, we waited for the "but" to arrive. It didn't.
"We both look forward to visiting the battle site at the Boyne, but not to refight it," said Dr Paisley with a chuckle. This was incredible stuff. "I look forward to future meetings and trust that old suspicions and discords can be buried forever under the prospect of mutual and respectful co-operation." Truly incredible.
When he finished, there was silence. The journalists looked at each other in disbelief. Nobody even attempted to ask a question.
What they really wanted to do was applaud. Afterwards, old hands wandered about, shaking their heads. "Is this a dream? Am I dreaming?" asked UTV's Ken Reid.
We weren't dreaming. Bertie gave Ian a book about Farmleigh. Ian gave Bertie a book written by his wife Eileen called Take a Break. Four hours later, the Government published its report on the Dublin/ Monaghan bombings that killed 33 people in 1974.
Ian Paisley's meeting with Bertie Ahern will forever stand as a magnificent milestone in this island's troubled history.
It was a privilege to be there.

Source

Here's a debate on the subject on Irish Nationalism.net
Little Bertie and Big Ian go all warm, cuddly and gooey - Irish Nationalism

[Milesian]

Yes, their masonic handshake was quite heart-warming

[svin]

How many people in N.Ireland want to reunite with Ireland? Is there any statistics? I can't manage to understand the way of Unionists thinking. Afterall, they are Irish, right? So, it would be logical not to stress the differences in religion, but rather to understand that both Catholics and Protestants are members of one nation.

[Errigal]

This is a really big step for Ireland. Many people may not realize it but it may mark the end of a very long era which began at least a hundred years ago. Having Her Majesty Tony Blair as Prime Minister and Queen Elizabeth II as the "imaginary friend" monarch makes Dublin look pretty good to even the orangeist Orangeman.
Very good for a real united Ireland that is not a shotgun marriage or cheap sellout.

[Milesian]

The only way there will be a United Ireland this side of the 3rd millenium, short of a nationwide insurrection, is for the 26 counties to rejoin the U.K.
London will NEVER (to quote the Rev. Ian Paisley) give up it's hold on Ireland. It simply makes no sense for them to do so.
On the other hand, Dublin's politicians are nothing but British lackeys and traitors who would as soon as sell Ireland's independence out to the first bidder.

What has the GFA done?
The IRA has disbanded. Sinn Fein has recognised the legitimacy of British occupation in the north and has joined both the British political system as well as aids the British Security forces in neutralising Republican resistance. Dublin has given up it's historic claim to the north and accepted partition and the division of Ireland. Meanwhile, the Loyalists are still deciding whether they should even bother to disarm their paramilitary assassins. In the background, imprisonment without trial and other mockeries of justice and democracy continue as part of official British policy in Ireland.
There is absolutely no need for nationalists to get excited.
Things are as dismal as ever they were, and any Irish optimistic about the GFA are living in a dream world fuelled by wishful thinking.

[Octillion]

I could only read a bit of the above article: the gushing and flowery prose was a bit too much for me. What prompted this meeting between the Irish PM and Ian Paisley? What was its purpose other than a photo opportunity? Why was it arranged and by whom? This meeting raises more questions than it answers, if it answers any at all. Strange days, indeed.

[Errigal]

Originally Posted by Milesian

The only way there will be a United Ireland this side of the 3rd millenium, short of a nationwide insurrection, is for the 26 counties to rejoin the U.K.
London will NEVER (to quote the Rev. Ian Paisley) give up it's hold on Ireland. It simply makes no sense for them to do so.
On the other hand, Dublin's politicians are nothing but British lackeys and traitors who would as soon as sell Ireland's independence out to the first bidder.

You would have to admit you hold a minority opinion in Ireland. This is the C-IRA, R-IRA, "Seed of Tiocfaidh", "Bride of Tiocfaidh" version?




From my perspective, I always see London eager to sell out the Unionists at any opportunity. Northern Ireland is an embarrassment to London, a financial burden and a province filled with vulgar patriots who remind the Guardian crowd of Enoch Powell and the BNP. Whether they’re from Bangor or Portadown, they are definitely not the kind of people Blair or Cameron would invite to a drinks party. I think Rathmines and Westminister agree that NI was too vulgar for words. It is not a fight over who wins NI but who gets stuck with it.

Originally Posted by Milesian

What has the GFA done?
The IRA has disbanded. Sinn Fein has recognised the legitimacy of British occupation in the north and has joined both the British political system as well as aids the British Security forces in neutralising Republican resistance. Dublin has given up it's historic claim to the north and accepted partition and the division of Ireland. Meanwhile, the Loyalists are still deciding whether they should even bother to disarm their paramilitary assassins. In the background, imprisonment without trial and other mockeries of justice and democracy continue as part of official British policy in Ireland.
There is absolutely no need for nationalists to get excited.
Things are as dismal as ever they were, and any Irish optimistic about the GFA are living in a dream world fuelled by wishful thinking.

The GFA has been good for my part of Donegal. I want peace, order, good government and prosperity. I don't want a national revolution.

Milesian, I think we may be able to agree on a lot of the little things but we'll never agree on the big things.

[Marulus]

Originally Posted by Milesian

The only way there will be a United Ireland this side of the 3rd millenium, short of a nationwide insurrection, is for the 26 counties to rejoin the U.K.
London will NEVER (to quote the Rev. Ian Paisley) give up it's hold on Ireland. It simply makes no sense for them to do so.
On the other hand, Dublin's politicians are nothing but British lackeys and traitors who would as soon as sell Ireland's independence out to the first bidder.

And if the UK as such falls apart? (I mean independence of Scotland and Wales)

[Errigal]

Originally Posted by prometheus

And if the UK as such falls apart? (I mean independence of Scotland and Wales)

In many ways it already has. Not on the map perhaps but in almost every other way.

[Ostrogorski]

I'm very interested in this problem,and I'm wondering,was there a Monarchist idea,amongst the Irish nationalists???

[Errigal]

Originally Posted by Sektor

I'm very interested in this problem,and I'm wondering,was there a Monarchist idea,amongst the Irish nationalists???

Yes. Arthur Griffith advocated a return to the dual monarchy which existed until 1800. His model was Austro-Hungary.

From Wikipedia:

Most historians opt for 28 November 1905, as a founding date because it was on this date that Griffith first presented his 'Sinn Féin Policy'. In his writings, Griffith declared that the Act of Union of Great Britain and Ireland in 1800 was illegal and that, consequently, the Anglo-Irish dual monarchy which existed under Grattan\'s Parliament, and the so-called Constitution of 1782 was still in effect. Its first president was Edward Martyn.
The fundamental principles on which Sinn Féin was founded were outlined in an article published in 1904 by Griffith called the Resurrection of Hungary, in which, noting how in 1867 Hungary went from being part of the Austrian Empire to a separate co-equal kingdom in Austria-Hungary. Though not a monarchist himself, Griffith advocated such an approach for the Anglo-Irish relationship, namely that Ireland should become a separate kingdom alongside Great Britain, the two forming a dual monarchy with a shared monarch but separate governments, as it was thought this solution would be more palatable to the British. However, this idea was never really embraced by later separatist leaders, especially Michael Collins, and never came to anything, although Kevin O\'Higgins toyed with the idea as a means of ending partition, shortly before his assassination.

[Menydh]

I find it suspicious that Ahem speaks of "the future of the island" instead of the future of Ireland or of the nation. Furthermore when Paisley speaks in terms of the "[our] two countries can develop and grow side by side in a spirit of generous co-operation.

It's a comedy if I've ever seen one. And a part of the comedy is that Paisley has been received as if he was the representative for Northern Ireland, which he is not.

In my opinion Milesian is right. You cannot trust the British one inch.

[Octillion]

Originally Posted by prometheus

And if the UK as such falls apart? (I mean independence of Scotland and Wales)

This is the question that worries Ulster Unionists: what will Ulster's legal and constitutional position be if the Union between England and Scotland is dissolved?

One must remember that since the partition of Ireland and the inception of Northern Ireland as a state, it was never fully integrated with Britain, in the same way Wales or even Scotland were, though of course in union with it. It remained a quasi-autonomous and partly-separate entity for decades with its own prime minister, parliament, government, with Unionists pretty well completely running the show.

Since direct rule was introduced from London in 1972 or 73, time dims the memory, there have been various constitutional models proposed for NI a few of which have been adopted under the various agreements made in recent years; but regrettably, these failed. The intransigence of both Nationalists and Unionists have made working out a suitable constitutional solution for Northern Ireland very difficult. Sometimes I wonder if compliance with the terms of the Belfast Agreement will last. As always in Ulster, as everywhere else, time will tell.

[Dux]

Originally Posted by svin

How many people in N.Ireland want to reunite with Ireland? Is there any statistics? I can't manage to understand the way of Unionists thinking. Afterall, they are Irish, right? So, it would be logical not to stress the differences in religion, but rather to understand that both Catholics and Protestants are members of one nation.

Not quite Irish... The loyalist block is like someone said, a bunch of vulgar patriots. They are either of English descent (Scots, etc) or just protestant fanatics (very close to the American religious fanatics) mainly descending from the Plantations.

Ireland partition was made in order to have a territory with a secure loyalist majority. It's about 55% loyalist against 40% with opposite view. The remaining 15% doesn't really care. I guess.

Eitherways, religion is an over-important issue in Ireland. Twistedly important. (I'd be very curious to read Aptrgangr's opinion about this)