Who said Haassmas comes but once a year? Our very own international problem solver Dr Richard Haass will be returning to get a deal that eluded him earlier in the week. Question for our posters-if you were Richard Haass how would you approach these talks and what concessions would you seek to get from the parties? If I were him, I would get the British and Irish governments more involved, Haass enters the talks with no carrots and no sticks. …
Two weeks ago to almost universal revulsion Attorney General John Larkin proposed an effective amnesty for the crimes of the Troubles. Now the legal process has provided the most eloquent rebuttal to his suggestions. The facts of the murder of RUC reservist John Proctor were as loathsome as so many of the Troubles. Mr. Proctor had just left visiting his wife and newborn son in the Mid Ulster Hospital when he was murdered with an assault rifle by Seamus Martin …
The Labour Party’s submission to the Haass/O’Sullivan talks is spread over five pages (with a two page summary of recommendations at the back). It starts by noting the important role the Labour Party played in the peace process, saying that the party’s submission is a “signal [of] our continued commitment to ensuring Northern Ireland continues on its journey to build peace, fairness and prosperity”. There’s an emphasis throughout the submission on local committees and forums rather than relying solely on …
