Northern+Ireland+conflict+today

The Northern Ireland conflict, and how it is visible and of interest in Britain today

The Northern Ireland conflict has its roots from the Irish insurrections in 1916, where the aim was to end British rule and establish an Irish state. The conflict has thus been a violent clash between Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants, and lasted roughly for three decades dating from the late 1960's till the Belfast “Good Friday agreement” of 1998. The conflict split Ireland in two parts. On what is known today as “Eire” there is the Republic of Ireland's Roman Catholic community and on the part know as Northern Ireland there is the Northern Ireland Protestant community.

Ireland has after getting its independence strived to reunify Ireland as a whole, and get back the six provinces of what is known as Northern-Ireland. A key word when speaking of this conflict is that the IRA (Irish Republican Army). The IRA can both be seen as a terrorist network, or a freedom-fighting Army, depending on which side of the conflict one is on. The outcome of the conflict can briefly be explained by concluding that the Republic of Ireland's Roman Catholic community along with the IRA did not win the territories of Northern Ireland, and so Northern Ireland continued being under British administration.

"IRA" tagget on a wall, along with a tag about nationality. Location; Northern Ireland.

There have been changes in this conflict today, compared to how the Northern-Ireland situation  was earlier, as we will see later. Although the Northern Ireland conflict has endured instability and few solutions, recent times have brought change for the troubled nation. Under the government of Tony Blair, little was done to improve the situation in Northern Ireland. One reason for this might be the focus on the events revolving 9/11, and the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. After the new government currently under the administration of ran by Gordon Brown, a deal has been made possible, with the help of Hillary Clinton and the Northern-Ireland parties. The political leaders and the relationships in the two countries have changed, as a result of the work done by the new government.

The agreement between Northern-Ireland and Britain, the so called «[|Power-sharing deal]», found place in London, February 5th 2010 where Gordon Brown, the prime minister of Britain, and Brian Cowen, the prime minister of Northern-Ireland, finally found a solution to the problems that has affected both of the countries for so many years economically, politically and socially. Britain has agreed to finally hand over the police and justice-system to local control, in what is called the Power-sharing deal.

One reason for the political decision made by Gordon Brown might be because Northern-Ireland has through time become a burden for the British. Great Britain, as the rest of Europe, has been hit by the financial crisis, and so handing over responsibility to the Northern Irish government will be beneficial for Great Britain in economic terms. In political terms it will have less to concentrate about, and will have a better chance at solving its internal political struggles after the Blair administrations failed support to the Bush administration in Iraq and the war on terror. In social terms this decision is a first step towards a solution that has long been waited for, both for the people of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Security and stability is highly valued in most societies, and the western ideals of democracy and self-determination is therefore what the general public and the governments see is the only answer to this long going conflict. Even though an agreement has been found and accepted by both parts, we can not be sure if the situation is under control and that this unofficial war is over.

One can speculate on whether or not this agreement is going to change the physical relationship between Britain and Northern Ireland. The picture to the right taken after a bombing in Northern-Ireland. The picture to the right, is taken on the day the "Power-sharing deal is signed by both parts.


 * Song in the background: **

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place in Northern-Ireland. The lyrics are quite beautiful, and the artist manages to bring forward the message in a really good way. I love this song from way back, so I thought it would be bring it as a part of my wiki. This is the musicvideo, which also shows the situation.
 * The Cranberries – Zombie **. This song is made in the memory of the war that found

media type="youtube" key="6Ejga4kJUts" width="425" height="350"


 * Quotes I found remarkable: **

// “We are closing the last chapter of a long and troubled story, and we are opening a new chapter for Northern Ireland,” Mr. Brown said at a news conference, February 5. //

// I think people have looked over the abyss and said, ‘There is no return to the past,’ ” Mr. Brown said. //

// Mr. Cowen, the Irish leader, called the deal “an essential step for peace, stability and security in Northern Ireland” // 
 * All of these quotes regard the agreement the found place in London, April 12th 2010**.

All taken from**:** []


 * Sources: **

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