Republican Deadlines and Unionist Secrets
Over the weekend the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey told us about a telephone conversation he had on Friday with Hillary Clinton. When the US Secretary of State pressed him to go the extra mile on devolving justice he replied that she was the only person who had rung him on the matter that day. She was apparently slightly taken aback - his point being that, as he has complained for the last few weeks, that his party had been excluded from the justice talks.
But maybe the UUP haven't been quite as excluded as they have been leading us all to believe, as it seems Danny Kennedy and Tom Elliot were in England on Sunday for a chat with Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds, facilitated by the Conservative NI spokesman Owen Paterson.
The Tories say this was all about promoting political stability and bringing the unionists together on the thorny question of justice. All entirely suitable stuff for a party which might inherit the Stormont impasse in a few months time to be working on.
They deny that the meeting covered hung parliaments or electoral pacts. But one participant did confirm to me that unionist unity as a long term goal did feature in the discussions, and the presence of Tom Elliot, given his Fermanagh base, raised a few eyebrows.
Certainly if this meeting is part of a unionist power play to warn Sinn Fein that they can't count on being the biggest party at Stormont then the participants will have to get cracking in the immediate term rather than just talking about long term aspirations.
If it isn't, then the Conservatives and Unionists will have to get cracking to try to re-establish their supposed brand identity regarding normal non-sectarian politics. This doesn't sit easily alongside any attempts to re-establish a united unionist monolith.
All the while the clock is ticking at Stormont - after yesterday's rumours of Sinn Fein ultimatums, today's Belfast Telegraph reckons the latest is for midnight tonight. Sinn Fein won't confirm this, but the timing would gel with the party's planned officer board meeting tomorrow. Government officials were undoubtedly burning the midnight oil last night as if they were working to a tight timetable.
P.S. Thanks to the reader who suggested the last entry should have been called "Tottering Tuesday".
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~01~RS~)
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My "tight-mouth Tuesday" Title suggest no good then Mark?
Oh well I will give it a go another day :)
As for Hillary sticking her nose in trying to convince Unionism to "do the deal". Why doesnt she just keep out? Her and her husband has done enough through the years to last a lifetime. Irish Republican sympathisers is what they came across as for years and any sensible Unionist should remind her of that.
Away and do abit more crying or abit more sensationlisng of your past events Hillary!
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God help unionism if Tom Elliot is the best they can come up with. The guy comes across as an honest farmer but as a political figure i think even in Fermanagh he's not taken all that seriously.
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Time now for Sinn Fein to waken up and smell the ------ !!!
Only one option now exists.
Either agree to P+J, plus parades, or
face a Unionist carve up in the next Stormont election !!!
"Back to the future",is not the way forward !!!
Sinn Fein,stop blustering,it's "your call"
Your time will come !!!
With the Tories in power,times will be less comfortable !!!
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Mark
"AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE"
Whoever said that was clearly a buck eejit in light of the current performance of the Parties within the DUP/Sinn Fein Fascist Coalition.
The bible bashers & altar lickers that control our destiny are strangers to the truth. They wouldn't know the truth if it kicked them in the XXXX! And when they're confronted with tough questions, they threaten legal action which is always the last refuge of the political deviant.
Northern Ireland's entire political, social & cultural edifice is built on lies, perversion and hypocrisy. Not to worry. The gullible DUP/SF voters will rejoice that this is exactly what is driving the P & J negotiations to a successful conclusion.
And what amazes me is that Durkan, Ford & Empey want to play in this cesspit.
Susie
Carryduff
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tradional_unionist
What a heavy statement from such a fool. I get the impression you are but a child not long out of nappies.
Mrs Clinton has had a central role in bringing this country out of British/unionist dominance, a dominance I might add that oppressed almost half of the people who live in this country.
Thanks to her and other Americans, British direct rule in Ireland and unionist oppression will never again be allowed to treat a section of the community they were charged with protecting like second class citizens.
Irish republicans, in the way of the leader of the IRA, now jointly hold the highest office in this statelet. No matter how much of a carve up the three former oppressing parties come up with, they will, to paraphrase, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER change the fact that no matter what the outcome, an Irish Republican, most likely a high ranking IRA volunteer, will share office with one of them.
It is views like yours, as well as others on this blog that caused conflict in this statelet since its inception in 1922.
As Bob Dylan sang 'Oh the times the are a changing'
Judging by your illiterate writings you are a clear sign as to how unionism has failed unionist youth by refusing to end academic selection.
Away and do a bit more reading!!!
spinspamspun
Time now for unionism to wake up and smell the ------!!!
You write: "Either agree to P+J, plus parades, or
face a Unionist carve up in the next Stormont election"
We as nationalist's will always object to sectarian marches happening in areas where they are not wanted. Who in their right mind would want loyalist bands, dedicated to dead terrorists tramping past their houses with. To add to this the blue bag brigade of loyalism with their littering and loitering. I bet this wouldn't happen in Edinburgh.
"Back to the future",is not the way forward !!!
It is attitudes like yours that will drag us back. Unionism must embrace republicanism and move forward, otherwise we will be stuck in limbo, a place we can't afford to be in.
Back to the topic, roll on tomorrow!!!
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Mark,
Regarding the unionism story it is good news. It is better to protect the union. It is the time to get these shinners out of Parliament. If they are not taking up seats then they should not be allowed to stand. Maybe Sinn Fein could explain why they won't take their seats in the Queens Parliament but will in the Queens Assembly.
Stormontspy
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#5
What a revealing post ! Bitterness from the past,the past,hopefully
not the future !!!
I'm looking for cooperation,but your post is so intolerant,abusive,
dismissive, spiralling into a bitter rant !!!
Take a step back. Not what you have been told to say !!!
What disgusted do you want ???
All or nothing ???
Wait another 100yrs !!!
Time to grow up, mature, and move forward !!!
Your bluster to defend Mr Adams is understandable. Guilty of many,
many things,but defend him,that's your right. But your wrong !!!
Being abusive,intolerent etc, if and when the tide turns,you should not be so dismissive of other's views and opinions.
Disgusted,in your history,which version do you read ???
The suppressed peasants of James or the Irish starving the
Irish with no spuds !!!
Time to grow up,become a citizen,stop your hatred
and MOVE FORWARD.
One day you might answer my question or tell me
what your masters say ???
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
"And you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are a changing"
It's great to see people get irate at the very sight of the truth.
Ha ha, such fools!!!
So what about this deadline?
Is unionism about to explode at the very thought of Sinn Fein holding all the aces. It's do and be damned or don't and were finished.
Who would have thought it, a wee man from Derry putting manners on unionism!!!
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DisgustedinDERRY,
If this was any other society McGuinness would have been locked up for his terrible crimes. Do you think Gordon Brown would hold joint office with a convicted terrorist?
As for Adams he must be discombulated. He wouldn't know the truth if it hit him between the eyes.
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
Benjamin Netanyahu, Shimon Peres, Tony blair, Gordon Brown, Geoff Hoon, Margaret Thatcher, Edward Heath, George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush...
A lot of people should have been locked up, they weren't.
Martin McGuinness is committed to peace whether you like it or not.
Others who post here, unionist included said they had confidence in him as you well know.
A poll by the Belfast Telegraph had a lot to say about the place he holds in the community compared to Peter Robinson.
Slugger O'Toole called him Politician of the year 2009.
I think your jealous!!!
Go Marty go go go!!
Marty Marty he's our man, if he...
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Stormontspy
You must be discombobulated?
It seems your attempt at being smart failed.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Stormontspy
Martin McGuinness had blood on his hands, thankfully he has now washed them, unlike those security services you talk about who still lurk in the dark. They armed loyalism through their agent Brian Nelson and others. They passed on false information on innocent civilians to people like Johnny Adair. These arms shipments were used to murder hundreds of people, therefore I don't think the security services are in much of a position to talk of others murderous past.
As for the Belfast Telegraph, sometimes you talk such crap, the Belfast Telegraph nor the NIO are big fans of Martin McGuinness our glorious joint leader whom everybody else likes but you and them!!!
It's time for you and others to stop dragging your knuckles and evolve as the rest of society has, it's peace we need not backward looking commentators like yourself, spinspamspun7 and others.
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DisgustedinDERRY,
Next thing is you will be telling me Sinn Fein/IRA have fully decommissioned. If as you say Martin McGuinness is a big fan off peace why does he not give the PSNI the names of those in the dissident republican groups?
I am hardly dragging my knuckles. I want peace as much as everyone else but it sickens me that murderers are running this country.
Stormontspy
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Who complained about post 15 and why?
Have the bottle and speak otherwise your a simple moron.
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
For once would you look at our conflict with objection.
In a perfect world Martin McGuinness would name the names you talk about. The British government would name the names of its paid agents who murdered solicitors or convict the soldiers who murdered innocent civillians.
We have come out of a war. A war which did not just involve the IRA, others had roles to play.
I'm quite sure that Martin McGuinness is so far detached from other republican organisations that it would be impossible for him to know their names.
Take off the rose tinted glasses. The leader of the unUnited Kingdom and his predessor have blood on their hands, I don't hear you speak about that!!!
Catch yourself on.
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I am actually shocked that the localboys post was removed. I thought it was a great post. It is always interesting to read the posts from those who have a strong opinion one way or the other but it was nice to read something from someone with a less entrenched view. Disgusted in Derry, thanks for reposting, lets hope it lasts this time
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DisgustedinDERRY,
I think both sides were as bad as the other. You think it is all the other side and therefore you have a warped mind. Did republicans kill to promote a united ireland? Did they get one? Is McGuinness now working for the Queen?
Stormontspy
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The moderators are a joke. The local boys post was fine. For some reason its removed. Then disgustedinDERRY copies and pastes it and it is accepted. Explain!
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Here, Here Judith. Clearly some are only interested in "whataboutery" but surely we can now move on. I find it terribly depressing that the wheels may come off over half a dozen parades which could easily be worked out if there was any kind of mutual repect in the locations involved. I find it worrying that the OO still has so much of a sranglehold on this society that this can happen
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Thelocalboy,
The orange order should be outlawed as it promotes a divided, sectarian society.
Stormontspy
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I think it is fair to say the issue of Wootton Bassett and the Islam4UK march have given us the British peoples opinion on right wing religious marches in areas where they are not wanted. David Cameron expressed his opinion on this:
"I think this group are just saying that because they want to get some cheap publicity. Their views are completely reprehensible to the overwhelming majority of not just the British public, but British Muslims as well"
Gordon Brown said he was horrified that Choudary was shamefully attempting to hijack the market town for political purposes.
Maybe unionism should be more representative of the so called British people in England. Why should nationalist residents on the Ormeau Road, the Ardoyne or the Garvaghy road let anti Catholic paraders, following bands who honour dead loyalist terrorists, in turn followed by the 2nd battalion blue bag brigade of loyalism march by the very same spot where their loved ones were murdered. If its right that the people of Wootton Bassett not to be offended by religious fanatics, then surely the same rights can be given to residents who dont want these parades in their communities.
Time for the Secretary of State to do the same as the Home Secretary in England and ban these parades for ever!!!
Time for the Orange Order to step off the platform and let this statelet move forward!!!
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When the deal is done and the Torys (If they do) get power and its not a hung parliament, it will be a case of “Tally ho old chaps, off for a game of polo, Jeeves show the gentlemen out, the back door please and keep an eye on the silverware, you know those pesky Irish, common lot. perfidious albion, the Tories have never been the friend of Unionism when it came to Ireland, but once again Unionism will learn the hard way.
But Nationalists cant change anything standing outside the building, but if you haven’t got a set of keys then you cant get in, “Equality” is the keyword, if the Tories come to power, we have nothing to fear, an International Agreement is binding, they cannot change it without the consent of Nationalists. That is not going to happen, it would open up a pandora’s box for the Tories, something Britain cannot afford when it comes to, reputation, integrity,and goodwill in their quest for power and social standing in Europe and the rest of the World.
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#22 Stormontspy
Stormontspy
Vis a vis you fool.
If you look back at my posts, I only talk about the 'other side' to point out yours and others one sided look at our recent conflict. The only people who agree with your one sided opinion are the regular loyalist posters to this blog. Other more progressive people often 'pop in' to agree with me.
I know that republicans have killed possibly thousands in our recent history. Compare that to the millions displaced and murdered by British foreign policy in Ireland, it is a drop in the ocean.
You talk about 'McGuinness' working for the Queen, I didn't know MLA's had to swear allegiance to any discriminatory monarch???
It is the 21st century not the 17th century, monarchs are for tourists!!!
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#22Stormontspy
Vis a vis.
If you look back at my posts, I only talk about the 'other side' to point out yours and others one sided look at our recent conflict. The only people who agree with your one sided opinion are the regular posters to this blog. Other more progressive people often 'pop in' to agree with me.
I know that republicans have killed possibly thousands in our recent history. Compare that to the millions displaced and murdered by British foreign policy in Ireland, it is a drop in the ocean.
You talk about 'McGuinness' working for the Queen, I didn't know MLA's had to swear allegiance to any discriminatory monarch???
It is the 21st century not the 17th century, monarchs are for tourists!!!
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I dont quite understand why my post was removed? I think my post was the fairest of this whole debate?
The e-mail from the BBC I recieved said it was 'Defamation'...call me uneduated or whatever you like, but I actually had to google that to see what it meant! The BBC most have some very posh and smart people working for them (in my opinion!)
However, have we not had enough years of fighting without more? Can people not accept that it is time to move on? Martin Mcguinness (in my opinion) has moved on, and it seems so has the likes of Peter Robinson and Ian Paisley on the otherside of the fence. Hopefully society can move forwards and follow their example, be like Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, have abit more of a chuckle together and stop living together, but divided!
Lets get P& J sorted, and get this ole country back on its feet!
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if the parades commision is got rid of, then what about getting Sinn Fein to lead a parade down the Shankill?
The parades commision ensures fairness for everyone! Including unionists!...as far as I am aware. They also ensure that nationalist parades are regulated.
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This comment has been referred for further consideration. Explain
I seem to be put on Santa's naughty list?
why do my posts keep getting removed? talk about a democracy eh?
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I think the moderators are trying to stop certain conversations, they have been at it all day.
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# 36
Still await a conservation and specific answers these past few weeks !!!
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Fellow bloggers,
Would it not be an idea to get back to the issue in hand!!
What about today's meeting of Sinn Fein party officers? After that we heard from six jobs who said a team was there all day to talk and Sinn Fein never turned up. The dogs on the street knew that Sinn Fein was having a party officers meeting today. Quite a poor excuse by the DUP.
As far as I know the 3 outstanding issues are -
1. Irish Language Act
2. Parades
3. Policing and Justice
It is simple to resolve this. Just get the Government to introduce water charges.
Stormontspy
PS It is good to see that 2 weeks later the PSNI finally decided to investigate Iris Robinson.
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At a guess, comments regarding violence and the two politicians named in the local lad's post are probably defamatory.
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#37
What are your opinions on parading now given my #27?
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The end is nigh !!!
Disgusted quoting themself !!!
Slavering over not giving answers to the lies and coverups ???
Should I contact Paddy Power and put my wages on Mary-Lou ???
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Typical.
As a young person asked me recently; who made you Mary Poppins!
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And here go again..suprise suprise, the two parties could'nt come up with a deal it seems?
What annoys me is..the public isn't being told why the deal didnt work!
Our own representatives wont report back to the public..they just live in their wee mansions it seems.
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