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Quote by: RickSp What I am trying to figure out is how long it will take for the Bush administration to try to take credit for the IRA's announcement and to claim that it is a result of our "liberation" of Iraq and Afghanistan. |
Spot on. There is one US politician who is always entitled to claim a large slice of the credit for the 'peace'.
BILL CLINTON's input was immense. The most important was pre-Bill the UK always maintained that it was an internal matter for them alone. Not even the Irish government could have an input, so there would be no solution. Bill changed that. Most importantly he changed it without firing one bullet. His personal attributes combined with the high esteem the office of President of the United States was THEN held by the Irish, ensured the peace process was off and running.
Bill's granting of the VISA of entry to Gerry Adams was a turning point. Remember the UK was adamantly against this. Nothing comical george or his administration has done since has contributed an iota to the peace today. Three cheers for Bill. He'll not be forgotten this side of the pond.
One lesson maybe for other conflicts. Very very few wish to die. The Irish love life more than most. Many volunteers went out believing death was likely. The 'shoot to kill' and Gibraltar murders, just like the Brazilian in London, left no doubt of UK intentions. Also every dead volunteer meant ten new recruits. Bobby Sands and friends died for political status. Was it not the Irish Republican ARMY.
If not, what were those mutinying against a 'rightful' King of England during the American War of Independence? Were they freedom fighters or terrorists. Remember those brother against brother stories. One had to be 'bad' misguided man. The lesson surely is that all killings, by the state or otherwise, are wrong. The last pope proclaimed the Iraq war illegal, so who's the terrorist or freedom fighter. History will judge
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