"The Troubles": a war or not?

[Marty J]

Troubles 'war statement' mooted

The group set up to look at how best to deal with the legacy of the Troubles may ask the government to formally say it fought a war against the IRA.

The Consultative Group on the Past will hold the first of seven public meetings in Belfast on Monday evening.

The group, co-chaired by Lord Eames and Denis Bradley, is due to publish a report this summer.

Sources have said it may ask the government to say the period known as the Troubles was in fact a war.

This would be seen as highly controversial.

Throughout the Troubles successive governments and the security forces said they were dealing with criminal activity and a breakdown of law and order in Northern Ireland.

Republican and loyalist paramilitaries claimed they were fighting a war.

If the government was to say it was a war, it could enable it to grant a form of amnesty to former paramilitaries willing to provide details of their activities as part of a truth recovery process.

The report could also recommend that all groups involved in the violence should apologise for their role and consider signing an agreement that they will never again use violence for political ends.

Meetings

The group's first public meeting will be followed by others in Londonderry, Bangor, Ballymena, Enniskillen, Armagh and Omagh over the coming weeks.

Mr Bradley said the meetings were an important part of the consultation process.

"Since beginning our consultation in September we have met with a range of groups and individuals to listen to their views on how we can deal with our troubled past," he said.

"We have also learned of the good work that has already taken place on this issue and we are determined to build upon that."

The independent group was set up by former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain.

Its aim is to provide a platform for people to express their opinions on how to deal with the trauma caused by the Troubles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7174105.stm

[DOD]

Of course it was a war. The nonsensical term the troubles is designed to de-legitimise the republican struggle.

[Catalpa]

The report could also recommend that all groups involved in the violence should apologise for their role and consider signing an agreement that they will never again use violence for political ends.

If they can get the Brits to sign up to that one they'll be doing well!

[inchicore_republican]

Britain has been at war in Ireland for over 800 years.

[PaintingMedium]

Britain has been at war in Ireland for over 800 years.

That is true my friend, but what do you make of this statement, do you think it will happen?

[Starkadder]

My argument would be that the IRA was engaged in a guerilla war
against the British government for almost 30 years.

[inchicore_republican]

The British knew they were fighting a war but I doubt they will publicly admit it.

[PaintingMedium]

The British knew they were fighting a war but I doubt they will publicly admit it.

Can you be a bit more in depth please, I do not know much about the group you belong to, so it would interesting if you could share some of your and your parties views in this matter?

If they are bringing this matter to the Northern Ireland gov, that means it will be a case of SF and the DUP deciding this, right, or did I read that wrong?

[Nem]

I doubt if either of the governments will participate and/or respond when the report comes out. There is no appetite for further inquiries or other lengthy consultations. IMHO this will unfortunately disappear into a drawer somewhere in Stormont after a few headlines over the summer period.

Designating as a war would be misappropriating it. The period is referred to as a conflict and by and large it has the characteristics of it.

[Eddie Collins]

My argument would be that the IRA was engaged in a guerilla war
against the British government for almost 30 years.

...terrorism against civilians for almost 30 years

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/northwes ... ress.shtml