💬 “I probably had six to eight hours sleep over the whole three days” - Tony Blair 💬 “People ask me what was the reason your father got on so well with the former terrorist Martin McGuinness - the answer is in the word ‘former’' - Ian Paisley Jr
It was only after an all-night session, chaired by President Bill Clinton’s Democratic Party ally, that the light at the end of this long diplomatic tunnel could be glimpsed.
“Remember, Sinn Féin had been fully infiltrated by MI5 at the time, and even Gerry Adams’ personal driver was an MI5 agent. Even Dr Paisley’s view towards Sinn Féin softened once the IRA had laid down its arms, and he eventually said yes to sharing power with his Irish republican enemies. “They certainly did have a good respectful relationship, and my father recognised that unless they worked together the place would fall apart.”The names of IRA members who were killed during the conflict are seen in a republican memorial garden in Belfast
Thirty years of attacks in Northern Ireland and on the British mainland from nationalist and loyalist paramilitaries ended, and cities like Belfast and Derry have prospered ever since. Indeed, since it was signed, there have been four subsequent agreements, all designed to keep the peace. “It’s not a slight on the politicians we have now, but we don’t have any big beasts like my father and the other we had back then.”, with Sinn Féin walking out for three years and the DUP boycotting the assembly for the past 14 months.
While the peace may have, largely, held in the 25 years since the agreement was signed, UK security services recently raised the threat level in Northern Ireland from substantial to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
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