Northern Ireland has taken charge of its own political affairs once more after
30 years of bloody sectarian violence.
The Reverend Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness - former enemies on opposing
sides of the sectarian and political divide - were this morning sworn in as
the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister respectively of the
Northern Ireland Assembly.
Tony Blair, along with his Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern, and Edward
Kennedy, the veteran US senator, were present in the ornate parliament
building at Stormont as Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness stood in turn to take
their oaths of office, as power-sharing devolved government was restored.
Part of the pledge was a promise to uphold the authority of the police.
Overcoming Sinn Fein's refusal to co-operate with the Police Service of
Northern Ireland was the turning point in bringing about today's historic
settlement.
Afterwards Mr Paisley reached out to all sides of Ulster society with a speech
of conciliation. He quoted the words of King Solomon from the Bible, that to
everything there was a season. "From the depths of my heart I can say to you
today that I believe Northern Ireland has come to a time of peace, a time
when hate will no longer rule," he said. "How good it will be to be part of
a wonderful healing in this province."
The radical preacher once dubbed 'Doctor No' for his refusal to deal with
Republicans admitted that if he had been told a few years ago that he would
be the leader of a coalition government at Stormont, with Catholic
Republicans in his Cabinet, he would have found it incredible.
"But let me say very strongly: that was yesterday. This is today; and tomorrow
will be tomorrow," the 80-year-old elder statesman of Northern Ireland
politics told a packed assembly of Ireland's great and good, and visitors
from all around the world.
"We are making together a declaration, we are aiming to become a Northern
Ireland in which all can live together in peace, being equal under the law
and all equally subject to the law. I welcome that pledge we have taken to
that effect, for that is the rock foundation on which we must build.
"We are starting upon the road that leads to lasting peace. I have sensed a
great sense of relief amongst all our people, who want the hostility to be
replaced by neighbourliness."
Mr McGuinness, a former chief-of-staff of the Provisional IRA, also struck a
conciliatory note, saying that work must begin to transform Northern Ireland
from a divided community to one determined to provide a better future for
all of its people.
"We know it will not be easy, and the road will have many twists and turns,"
said Mr McGuinness. "It is however a road we have chosen, and which is
supported by the vast majority of our people."
Ten years ago Mr Blair and Mr Ahern were largely responsible for putting in
motion the peace process that made today possible.
Mr Blair received a warm and lengthy round of applause for his part in solving
the Irish question that has dogged British prime ministers for centuries. He
spoke of his hope that the cycle of conflict in Ireland could finally be
broken.
"Northern Ireland was a society disfigured by ancient suspicions that had
shaped its character. Look back, and we see centuries pockmarked by hatred
and conflict," said Mr Blair.
"Look forward today, and we see the chance, at least, to escape those heavy
chains of history."
Mr Blair is known to regard his diplomacy in Ulster as perhaps the finest
achievement of his decade as Prime Minister. He concluded, with pride:
"Northern Ireland was synonymous with conflict. It was felt to be
intractable. The Troubles.. people felt that it could not be done, even that
it should not be done, that the compromises involved were too great.
"But in the end it was done, and this shows lessons for conflict everywhere."
The geniality spilled over into a reception after the oath-taking ceremony,
when Mr Paisley and Mr McGuiness entertained Mr Blair and Mr Ahern to tea.
Holding court in the best armchair while the two prime ministers perched
uncomfortably on the sofa, Mr Paisley joked that Mr Blair would miss his
chats when he resigns as Prime Minister later this week. He went on: "Here's
me, an old man, just starting work when you're going out." Mr Blair replied
that he probably ought to learn a lesson from Mr Paisley and delay his
political career until he was 80.
Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, who yesterday signed the order
restoring devolved government, said: "What is really inspiring now is that
the politicians are leading the people out of that history of sectarianism
and bigotry, instead of encouraging them in it."
Earlier Mr Ahern had paid tribute to Mr Blair's efforts for peace in the
province. "He has been the most successful politician, from an Irish point
of view, ever," said Mr Ahern.
"He has given it more time, probably, than any other issue. Tony Blair has
delivered on that and shown a very strong sense of fairness and justice to
get a just solution."
Outside Stormont, three peace protesters were arrested and three police
officers hurt in scuffles. Television pictures showed what seemed to be
dozens of demonstrators with placards against the Iraq war being pushed back
from the building. One policeman was taken to hospital with a suspected
broken nose while another was treated for concussion, police said.
Mr Kennedy, who was part of the US delegation to the Assembly meeting, said
afterwards: "Today will live in the history of freedom-loving people all
over the world.
"It was a very special moment today that took place at Stormont, a very
special, magical moment, a real reflection of the great courage of the
people of Northern Ireland who have witnessed the bomb and the bullet and
experienced so many disappointments in the recent past.
Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein, paid tribute to the victims of Northern
Ireland's 30 years of troubles. He went on: "This is a good day for Ireland,
a good day for all the people of this island... It is a day to be hopeful,
to be sure that a new start is being made."
Asked if he thought there could ever be a return to the violence, Mr Adams
said: "I'm satisfied we are not going to get into the same difficulties. The
political landscape is different, the chemistry is different. We are going
to succeed."
Government at Stormont was suspended in the late 1960s and Ulster was returned
to home rule from Westminster when violence broke out in the province. More
than 3,000 people died in the Troubles.
After Mr Blair and Mr Ahern brokered the Good Friday agreement of 1998,
devolved government was briefly restored, but it was suspended in October
2002 amid revelations that Republicans were involved in bugging Stormont.
Efforts to restore it quickly were dashed when it emerged that the
Provisional IRA had been involved in a £40 million bank raid.
I wonder what money has changed hands to achieve this and how long will England will have to pay? There is a lot of blood on both of these men's hands. I just hope that there is a God, I suspect he won't be keeping company with either of these men.
judy, Liverpool, england
I concede that neither side in this drama is lily-white, but I am struck by your rather breezy reference to "a £40 million bank raid" that was attributed to the IRA five years ago. "Raid"? At the time, it sounded like one of the biggest bank robberies in history. If it had been executed by non-political perpetrators, how would you have characterized the, er, withdrawal?
James, Vancouver, Canada
Never lose hope that people of good intentions can fashion a peace that may last multiple times longer than have the troubles.
Edward B Ryder IV, Greenlawn, NY
I think the key words are "former terrorist" Iain. Ian Paisley (for one) has shown a willingness to forgive the past and move forward so everyone else should do the same. As for Tony Blair congratulating Alec Salmond, what makes you think that would make the news? I for one don't consider the SNP getting in to be a cause for celebration.
Julia , Aberdeen, UK
There is a lesson here for the world. When men of violence feel that they can advance their political agenda from within the political framework, they will put down their weapons. ...The power brokers involved with the middle east situation can learn from this.
Gerard, Newark, USA NJ
Am I the only one that sees the hypocrisy here? Tony Blair is happy to sit round a table and share light hearted moments with former terrorists like the odious Martin McGuiness yet to my knowledge he has still not congratulated Alex Salmond on his (albeit narrow) election victory in Scotland.
Iain, Glasgow,
Mr. Paisley is right to dismiss this "little pantomime" in favour of concentrating on the fiscal state of the six counties. After all, wasn't it money matters involving Westminster politicians that upset protestant planters and began this 'performance'?
tim, brighton, uk
I wish the people of Ireland a prosperous future.
I also hope that this is a message for all parts of the world that are at war. Differences can be resolved if there is a will.
Trevor Nye, Ceauce, France