Good Friday Agreement; Good or bad for the future of Irish Republicanism.

[seamrog]

I want to start a serious debate with republicans on this site about the GFA and how do we progress a united Ireland. I only want to debate fact and what's actually in the agreement.
Dont turn this thread into groups having ago at each other, this is about our future. I will give my own thoughts on this later.

Slan

[TheHoney]

some republicans would term the last 15 years (1st ceasefire) as the most dis empowering episode of republican history, time will tell. In my opinion the electoral system to go along with the GFA is not democarcy.

[Truth.ie]

"The Union is safe."
Gusty Spence, speaking on behalf of the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commandoes
Good Friday 1998.

[fool]

And of course Gusty Spence is the man all republicans believe.

The GFA has left the governance of Northern Ireland in a highly unstable position.
This was always a tactical aim of republicanism.
It has done so with far less bloodshed than we'd seen in previous years.
This, in my view, is a good thing.
Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a republican political movement with the capacity to, or interest in, continuing or exploiting this instability.

[Truth.ie]

And of course Gusty Spence is the man all republicans believe.

The GFA has left the governance of Northern Ireland in a highly unstable position.
This was always a tactical aim of republicanism.
It has done so with far less bloodshed than we'd seen in previous years.
This, in my view, is a good thing.
Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a republican political movement with the capacity to, or interest in, continuing or exploiting this instability.

What age are you? The Governance of "Northern Ireland" has never been as stable.
Sinn Fein who once sought to make the six counties ungovernable, are now trawling the U.S in an attempt to bring financial stability and investment to the 6. They support the institutions of the State and the armed wing of the Northern State fo the first time in history. They are the staunchest defenders of devolution. A system they once described as a blockade to Republicanism.

[Rossa]

The war with the British had to be brought to an end and there needed to be some kind of settlement. Whether it's direct rule or stormont shouldn't be the issue as it should be considered a stop gap till we're organised properly for unification. Stormont gives devolved powers, devolved policing powers soon, equality and chance to develop better north/south bodies. Also to breakdown the sectarian divides in the society in the north. These are positives but aren't a proper end settlement. The island would function politically, socially and economically better united.

Now that there's a settlement. Republicans and nationalists of all parties on the island need to re-focus and reorganise themselves for unification.

[Pat Mc Larnon]

some republicans would term the last 15 years (1st ceasefire) as the most dis empowering episode of republican history, time will tell. In my opinion the electoral system to go along with the GFA is not democarcy.

So after the border campaign and the defeat of republican campaigns throughout the decades people are telling us that they were better off then than they are now?

[Truth.ie]

So after the border campaign and the defeat of republican campaigns throughout the decades people are telling us that they were better off then than they are now?

Absolutely. Core Republican principles were not abandoned after the 50s campaign. The Irish claim of jurisdiction was intact. And Republicans North and South still denied legitimacy to British writ in Ireland and it's armed militia.

[Rossa]

Absolutely. Core Republican principles were not abandoned after the 50s campaign. The Irish claim of jurisdiction was intact. And Republicans North and South still denied legitimacy to British writ in Ireland and it's armed militia.

Do you still believe that an armed military campaign is the way forward for unification?

[Truth.ie]

The war with the British had to be brought to an end and there needed to be some kind of settlement. Whether it's direct rule or stormont shouldn't be the issue as it should be considered a stop gap till we're organised properly for unification. Stormont gives devolved powers, devolved policing powers soon, equality and chance to develop better north/south bodies. Also to breakdown the sectarian divides in the society in the north. These are positives but aren't a proper end settlement. The island would function politically, socially and economically better united.

Now that there's a settlement. Republicans and nationalists of all parties on the island need to re-focus and reorganise themselves for unification.

What you have described has been the stated aims of British strategists for over 30 years.It's classic counter insurgency.
It's a modernisation of British rule, with enhanced normalisation and Ulsterisation, taking troops off the streets and getting locals to fight armed Republicans. Also getting the natives to run the place on theirbehalf politically.
Similar tactics are being used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
If you think it enhances Republicanism or the aim of Irish sovereignty you're greatly mistaken.
Match point to Britan.