Discussion: The Peace Agreement

The Good Friday Peace Agreement  represented an historic opportunity to establish new political relationships and structures on these islands; to create space for a more pluralist and inclusive politics; to recognise the multi-cultural nature of societies and respect for minority rights; to develop the principle of peaceful, as distinct from military, means of achieving political objectives.  The signing of the Good Friday Agreement appeared to many to present a framework with universal implications: communities characterised by conflicting national allegiances in other parts of the world might benefit from such a framework.

That peace process is now under review and in danger of foundering because of intransigence over one of the central tenets of a/any Peace: Arms Decommissioning.  Democracy is challenged by the insistence on holding arms in reserve by some of the participants in the original process.

The Shape of "1999": by Paul Bew
At the outset of 1999, Paul Bew provides insights and analysis of the potential for progress, peace and democracy in these islands in the year ahead. He sees the possibility of a new pluralist politics with respect for minorities in both parts of Ireland. However, he also cautions against the politics that could deliver an alternative scenario - a reversion to type with negative consequences for the citizens of Northern and Southern Ireland.

You can't get an 'is' from an 'ought': Bert Ward, Dec.1998
Bert Ward examines the promises of arms decommissioning by parties to the Good Friday Agreement and questions whether there is a will to deliver on this central precept.

The path to peace - Irish Times documentation, including the full text of the Nobel lectures of John Hume and David Trimble