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Anglo-Irish relations took a momentous step forward on Wednesday when the Queen shook hands with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.
The historic encounter between the former IRA commander – now Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister – and the Queen was unthinkable a little over 10 years ago.
But the success of the peace process and the Queen’s acclaimed visit to the Republic of Ireland last year, when her conciliatory words and gestures won over many critics of the monarchy, paved the way for th
On the occasion of the last royal jubilee, in 1977, republicans in Northern Ireland marked it with a "Queen of Death" march which ended, somewhat predictably, in violence and volleys of rubber bullets. In the years that followed there is evidence that the IRA knew the value of the royal family as a target: Lord Mountbatten, the Queen's cousin, was killed by a bomb on his boat off the coast of County Sligo and attacks were apparently planned against Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
There may be those who will regard the handshake as simple gesture politics on Mr McGuinness's part. That would be wrong. A poll by the Belfast Telegraph at Sinn Féin's annual meeting last month uncovered majority backing for a handshake – and near-unanimous support for Mr McGuinness to offer regret for the suffering caused by the IRA campaign. The simple clutching together of those hands on Wednesday – hopefully in public – cannot be overestimated in its symbolism and significance.
The IRA has launched an internal investigation into the existence of an alleged MI6 agent codenamed 'J118', The Observer has learnt. Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator and former IRA commanding officer, has publicly denied he is the agent. The Mid Ulster MP was responding to allegations from former British Army intelligence officer Martin Ingram who claimed McGuinness was MI6's top asset inside the IRA. 'Regardless of the validity of this claim, it is IRA standard operating procedure to investigate,' a top republican source said this weekend.
I think it can only be a good thing, two people, one a former Terrorist and another a symbol of past Imperialism, sharing a handshake only shows how far Anglo Irish Relations have come, this would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. It shows that we can all move on if we keep talking a debating and not shooting or blowing eachother up. The past situation in Northern Ireland, was handled very badly, by all sides. There is obviously still a lot of healing to do, some people may never forgive, but they may learn to start to forget, if two people who represent the opposing sides to a centuries old arguement, can exchange pleasantries, without fear of criticism, then maybe there is hope for all of us. Peace :-)
I agree, but I think it is important to understand that the conflict is not over. There are still many in N Ireland/S Ireland who wish to see a unified Ireland. I feel an opportunity for this too occur will still present itself at some point in the future.
And, I might add, why the queen and not someone elected to Parliament?
I know you all just dismiss this kind of Queen bashing or whatever you call it, but being American and seeing how the royals have f'd up everything they touch in order to make a buck I just can't see the logic in keeping them around at the detriment of all the hard working people who sacrifice so they can prosper. You support your 1% like they are gods. Why not support yourself? Why not make a public statement from the people of UK that you love your neighbors and want to be friends? Because you don't like them. You never will. If you are both around in 700 years you will still harbor resentment for the past.
Is it possible that the Queen thinks she might need the aid of Ireland to fight off an attack from Russia/China?
Seems like an odd time in history to be making this little gesture. Also I can't help wondering how it can be possible to have a little handshake between two people and all of a sudden you become best friends?
If all she needed to do was shake a hand why wait till now?
And, I might add, why the queen and not someone elected to Parliament?
What is the difference between the royals and the Bush's? If some rich a-hole wants to shake hands with some terrorist they have been fighting for centuries why does it matter? What binding does it have? Why should it even be news? Is there nothing else going on in the world to keep your attention than what the Queen did yesterday?
I know you all just dismiss this kind of Queen bashing or whatever you call it, but being American and seeing how the royals have f'd up everything they touch in order to make a buck I just can't see the logic in keeping them around at the detriment of all the hard working people who sacrifice so they can prosper.
You support your 1% like they are gods. Why not support yourself? Why not make a public statement from the people of UK that you love your neighbors and want to be friends? Because you don't like them. You never will. If you are both around in 700 years you will still harbor resentment for the past.
Originally posted by Ranong
reply to post by Peruvianmonk
A united Ireland is the game plan for ALL involved, but it`s got to be done in such a delicate way that we don`t return to the violence of the past. Everyone needs to save face, hence the handshakes and other friendly decorum. It will take decades but it will happen. Peacefully.