The BBC are reporting that the US administration have refused to grant Gerry Adams fundraising privileges as part of his visa for a scheduled US visit – no statement from SF yet – and, as a result, he is not expected to will not travel to the US.. although an earlier report in the Belfast Telegraph suggested he would still travel to Canada. It’s a decision that comes after the statement, noted here, from Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness that …
The eagle-eyed Newshound spotted this report in the Irish Examiner. The latest Country Report on Ireland from The Ecomonist Intelligence Unit includes a warning to businesses on the potential for future political instability. The report by Dan O’Brien, senior europe editor/economist of The EIU, warns that “a central question for the island of Ireland’s political future is whether “the provisional movement Sinn Fein and the IRA” is evolving to become fully democratic or whether its use of democratic means is …
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern faces criticism in the Irish Times today – from two different angles. Ronnie Kasrils, the South African Government Minister for intelligence, and South African Communist Party member, who is visiting Northern Ireland as a guest of Sinn Féin, is reported to be shocked that the Taoiseach has been talking about reclaiming republicanism from those who have “debased” and “abused” it. While Fintan O’Toole argues that “The only way to reclaim republicanism, for Fianna Fáil and for everyone …
Noel MacAdam reports from the aftermath of Reg Empey’s first party conference as UUP leader, and finds a party ready to put the recent past behind them. The new officers in the party now include people like Basil McCrea and Kenny Donaldson.Empey has said that old style UUP dissent will have to have limits and Danny Kennedy has talked of the need for the party to speak to itself first: “We want to provide mechanisms for contact between constituency organisations, …
Some coverage in the Sunday papers, and the BBC, of Reg Empey’s speech to the UUP conference yesterday – full text here [Thanks to Thomas at About EU]. But, while the reports tend to focus on the same points noted here previously, they’ve missed one appointment, in particular. As Reg Empey put it “Mr President, I can also report today that an advisory group on Party Communications has been formed under the chairmanship of Lord Laird.”.. Yes, that’s the same …
Stephen King, in the Belfast Telegraph, and writing prior to the speech today by the UUP party leader, asked whether Reg Empey could cut through the Gordian Knot facing his party. Well, he didn’t get Alexander the Great.. it was a big ask.. but I wonder what Stephen thought of the Reginator? Pete Baker
While the BBC emphasise Reg Empey’s comments on loyalist paramilitaries, reporting that he has promised to help those who took steps towards ‘calling it a day’ – “Northern Ireland is moving on apace and loyalist paramilitaries need to recognise that they no longer have any reason to maintain their structures.” – well, that’s a carrot, of sorts, where’s the stick? – UTV carries a much fuller account of the speech to the UUP party conferenceAccording to the UTV report, Reg …
As previously leaked predicted, it’s been confirmed that the leader of the DUP, Ian Paisley, is to join about 530 [they don’t know exactly? – Ed] other past and current MPs in the Privy Council – with the exception of serving Ministers it’s a, largely, ceremonial position. No word yet on Lady Paisley.. or Lord Brown for that matter Update Added Downing St link Pete Baker
The Guardian’s NewsBlog is live-blogging the second round of voting in the Conservative Party leadership battle, although if their last attempt is anything to go by that will be a more of a semi-conscious-blogging *ahem* ANYway, they’re currrently predicting David Cameron to top the poll. This time Ann Widdecombe was waiting at the right door.. Update When I said semi-conscious I meant semi-coherent, as the NewsBlog jumps threads to here.. and [finally?] to here And Fox leaves the hunt.. only …
Tim Collins takes this headline on a report on this weekend’s UUP conference, but it seems he will be restricting his participation to a debate on the future, or whether there is one, for the Royal Irish Regiment. The main story appears to be that the UUP will elect their Party President this weekend as well as other party officers.. but not, it seems, their Party Chairman, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer – that’s to be decided at a …
The 7th IMC report has been made public, assessing paramilitary and criminal activity from 1 March to 31 August this year. Available here [pdf file]. Its general tone could be accurately described as cautious.. maybe, at a stretch, even cautiously optimistic. But the same [cautious, that is] could not be said for Secretary of State, Peter Hain.In relation to the activities of the Provisional IRA it has this to say – 3.18 In conclusion, on PIRA we emphasise again that …
Meanwhile.. back at the ranch.. The Guardian’s NewsBlog is live-blogging the first round of voting for the next leader of the Conservative Party.Love this note on the NewsBlog Ms Widdecombe had in fact been queueing patiently to cast her vote from 12.50pm and was first in line, but unfortunately was waiting at the wrong door. Oops. Pete Baker
Brian Walker acknowledges that both the DUP and Sinn Fein have made poll position in Northern Irish politics, but wonders whether they are not frittering away their leadership positions by not striking out for a clear future.Of Sinn Fein he says: Whatever happened to Sinn Fein detaching itself completely from the IRA? Last week saw Gerry Adams firmly impaled on the hook of Slab Murphy. He will stay there at least until the IMC lets him off it, whether or …
Niall Mulholland argues a socialist line on why the IRA was wrong to fight its long war against the British in Northern Ireland. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Martin Mansergh in the Irish Times (subs needed) argues that IRA decomissioning, following the statement that it was committing itself to a peaceful, democratic path is a major landmark for this island and finally redresses the “dreadful act of responsibility” by the surving members of the Second Dáil.”For more than 80 years, since the war of independence, successive Irish governments have wanted the IRA to go away. Eamon de Valera, in the 1930s worried about the guns still in their …
IN the Irish Examiner, Fergus Finlay calls yesterday’s announcement, of decommissioning, a welcome step.. but not one we should be grateful for. He also has an interesting view of the process so far, and of the still distant prospect of SF in government.From the Irish Examiner – Those who believe, for instance, that Sinn Féin might be a part of our next government, assuming (which looks almost inevitable now) that Fianna Fáil and the PDs can’t make up the numbers, …
The Irish Times carries Ed Moloney’s view of the final act of decommissioning by the Provisional Movement[subs req], as announced yesterday by John de Chastelain, the retired Canadian general, who, when first appointed, “had so many strikes against him from an Irish nationalist viewpoint that Dublin and the Provos recruited Bill Clinton’s assistance in trying to get him replaced.”As Ed Moloney reminds us, all has changed – Ten years on the Provos and the Irish Government have nothing but praise …
The Guardian (Unlimited) continue to expand their on-line repertoire, with Angelique Chrisafis, in effect, audio-blogging on today’s developments[3min 18sec mp3 file]. At the press conference The Observer’s Henry McDonald interrupted the Decommissioning Body’s studied delivery by asking whether any weapons from after 1996 had been decommissioned. In his report he also notes a comment by The Blanket’s Anthony McIntyre that “the disposal of weapons smuggled into Ireland to fight the Long War had ‘made republicanism history’, rather than partition.” [*thread …
In the Belfast Telegraph, Sam Smyth raises just two cheers in response to the unfolding choreography – The Provisionals expect a grateful public to raise a Hallelujah Chorus in praise for the dumping of their weapons. But a sigh of relief is more appropriate for their decommissioning of an enormous arsenal of sophisticated weapons and explosives. Pete Baker
The speculation continues about when statements will start being issued – since most report that the decommissioning process itself is over. Athough in this BBC report, Peter Hain is still using the future tense, UTV report that the decommissioning has been witnessed by “a catholic priest from West Belfast and a high profile methodist minister”.. and that the statements will start tomorrow. There are sceptical voices, Brendan O’Connor in the Sunday Independent – “Trust us, this time it’s gonna be …
