Outside view of NI

[THR]

The situation in Northern Ireland is not as well known to the outside world that it would always be reported correctly. Many times the reports have to explain what the crisis is all about, many times self-evident truths for Irish persons but not so to people elsewhere. The leading Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat had a short editorial comment on the recent situation of NI. I`ll aranslate it word for word:

"Another attempt at self-government

There have been so many postponements and setbacks in the Northern-Ireland peace process that one would be wise not to rejoice for any breakthrough too early. However, real progress has happened: Apart from fringe splinter-groups the both sides of the conflict have long ago abandoned any hope of achieving victory through violence. Now there is another attempt to hold regional elections so that the self-government could be brought back up and running.

British and Irish Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern set March 7th as a date for the Northern-Ireland assembly elections. After the new assembly has been elected, a new government for the province must be formed by March 27th. If this does not happen, a plan B will take effect, namely, governing Northern-Ireland in co-operation from London and Dublin without listening to the politicians in Northern-Ireland.

The two Prime Ministers dared take this risk after Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA, decided to support the Northern-Ireland police-force. Thus far, Sinn Fein has despised the Northern-Ireland police and therefore their decision to support it was a historical concession by the party and its leader Gerry Adams.

The protestant unionist party still acts with deep suspicion and demands practical deeds instead of words. However, its veteran leader Ian Paisley seems to have convinced Blair of his innate flexibility.

Besides, Paisley must realise that the options for him are a piece of power in Belfast or no power at all. The era of protestant hegemony is over and not going to return. Northern-Ireland can no longer be governed without Sinn Fein and the goodwill of both London and Dublin.

The mutual trust between Sinn Fein and the unionists is still almost non-existent and there is co-operation only when there are no other alternatives. However, the province has taken a lot of steps forward from the violence of the past decades. Elections and a joint-government is another step forward."

[jerryp]

THR, I don't think the Finns were ever part of the Viking invaders who visited our shores many years ago, but, nonetheless could you and your Scandinavian neighbours organise another invasion. The civility and common-sense which people from your part of the world are famous for would be very welcome in Northern Ireland. Your interest in these matters is commendable. Is it connected with studies ?

[Irish_Roman]

Ballymena and east Belfast would be good places to invade.

[forest]

we have all heard of or experienced the reaction of people on holidays when we say we are from Ireland and the fact is the Northern Irish Issue has painted us in a bad light
Lets face it Ireland aint exactly a major world power, and we probably don't make the news to often outside Europe, peoples 1st experience with ireland is probably hearing a report on a murder or riot or both

When, in the 70's my parents travelled around the USSR and Eastern Europe they would tell people where they were from and many peoples reaction was "ah ireland-bang, bang" or "ah War" my mom once said that in Greece people seemed surprised that They (my parents) were able to leave ireland

In more resent times, when in Morocco and talking to people I got the same reaction when i said I was from ireland.

My favourite is however a conversation I had in Bulgaria.
I was in a dominantly German resort called Golden Sands (highly recommend people to go there if you are a fan of beach resort holidays its also only a few KM from Varna) I was in a bar talking to this Russian girl
When I said I was from Ireland she asked "which part, the Military part or the safe part" I replied the safe part
We chatted for a while longer then she goes to me "you speak good English"
I look confused and ad yea its like what I speak"
She then going "No I was talking to two guys from Military Ireland once, their English not so good"
I laughed

[merle haggard]

When, in the 70's my parents travelled around the USSR and Eastern Europe they would tell people where they were from and many peoples reaction was "ah ireland-bang, bang" or "ah War" my mom once said that in Greece people seemed surprised that They (my parents) were able to leave ireland

whos your Da ? Sean Garland or Carlos the Jackal ?

[gaelach]

we have all heard of or experienced the reaction of people on holidays when we say we are from Ireland and the fact is the Northern Irish Issue has painted us in a bad light
Lets face it Ireland aint exactly a major world power, and we probably don't make the news to often outside Europe, peoples 1st experience with ireland is probably hearing a report on a murder or riot or both

When, in the 70's my parents travelled around the USSR and Eastern Europe they would tell people where they were from and many peoples reaction was "ah ireland-bang, bang" or "ah War" my mom once said that in Greece people seemed surprised that They (my parents) were able to leave ireland

In more resent times, when in Morocco and talking to people I got the same reaction when i said I was from ireland.

My favourite is however a conversation I had in Bulgaria.
I was in a dominantly German resort called Golden Sands (highly recommend people to go there if you are a fan of beach resort holidays its also only a few KM from Varna) I was in a bar talking to this Russian girl
When I said I was from Ireland she asked "which part, the Military part or the safe part" I replied the safe part
We chatted for a while longer then she goes to me "you speak good English"
I look confused and ad yea its like what I speak"
She then going "No I was talking to two guys from Military Ireland once, their English not so good"
I laughed

I was in Milan last March/April and the day we arrived there was a riot between Rigt wing and Communist party members.Before it started me and my mates noticed loads of cops in riot gear in the square.
I went up and asked one of them what was going on,He said "civil unrest", he then asked us where we were from, after we had told him we were from Ireland, he said "you`ll be used to whats happening so!"

[merle haggard]

I was in Milan last March/April and the day we arrived there was a riot between Rigt wing and Communist party members.Before it started me and my mates noticed loads of cops in riot gear in the square.
I went up and asked one of them what was going on,He said "civil unrest", he then asked us where we were from, after we had told him we were from Ireland, he said "you`ll be used to whats happening so!"

what a stroke of luck finding a Corkman working for the Milan police department

[gaelach]

I was in Milan last March/April and the day we arrived there was a riot between Rigt wing and Communist party members.Before it started me and my mates noticed loads of cops in riot gear in the square.
I went up and asked one of them what was going on,He said "civil unrest", he then asked us where we were from, after we had told him we were from Ireland, he said "you`ll be used to whats happening so!"

what a stroke of luck finding a Corkman working for the Milan police department

From Middleton no less........ :wink:

Well ya get the gist anyway!

[grandad]

we have all heard of or experienced the reaction of people on holidays when we say we are from Ireland and the fact is the Northern Irish Issue has painted us in a bad light
Lets face it Ireland aint exactly a major world power, and we probably don't make the news to often outside Europe, peoples 1st experience with ireland is probably hearing a report on a murder or riot or both

When, in the 70's my parents travelled around the USSR and Eastern Europe they would tell people where they were from and many peoples reaction was "ah ireland-bang, bang" or "ah War" my mom once said that in Greece people seemed surprised that They (my parents) were able to leave ireland

In more resent times, when in Morocco and talking to people I got the same reaction when i said I was from ireland.

My favourite is however a conversation I had in Bulgaria.
I was in a dominantly German resort called Golden Sands (highly recommend people to go there if you are a fan of beach resort holidays its also only a few KM from Varna) I was in a bar talking to this Russian girl
When I said I was from Ireland she asked "which part, the Military part or the safe part" I replied the safe part
We chatted for a while longer then she goes to me "you speak good English"
I look confused and ad yea its like what I speak"
She then going "No I was talking to two guys from Military Ireland once, their English not so good"
I laughed

Did you visit any Romany Resorts while you were in Bulgaria, given your concerns for the Romany peoples!!

Is Mise
Grandad

[farnaby]

THR, I don't think the Finns were ever part of the Viking invaders who visited our shores many years ago, but, nonetheless could you and your Scandinavian neighbours organise another invasion. The civility and common-sense which people from your part of the world are famous for would be very welcome in Northern Ireland.

It wouldn't work jerryp. The Finns have no time for dogmatic intransigence or on the other hand for walking-on-eggshell dialogue. I should know, i'm marrying one...