northern ireland

[star1004]

Coming from northern ireland, it seems to me that the conflict between the two communities will never be completely resolved, due the the bigotry and hatred which some people have for others.

are there any other contries/territories in the world which have experienced the same sort of conflict, but have managed to resolve it completely?

[Ahmed]

Remember the Palestinian/Israeli conflict of the 1990s? That's all sorted now.

Joking aside, i can't actually think of a similar conflict where resolution has been found without separate states being formed, or forced conformity. i.e. Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, Jamu/Kashmir

Even Spain still has major internal issues with the Catalan/Basques.

I can't see a resolution to the NI situation unless something radical is done. And I have no idea what that might involve.

[On_the_trot]

Not that I'm suggesting that I have an answer....well apart from maybe following Jesus-Christ's example... but it seems that the issue of identity is very much at the forefront & yet very much ignored. N.I. Protestants identify themselves as British yet are in essence not British because 1) to be accurate Northern Ireland is actually part of the united Kingdom but not part of Great Britain so they are at most UKers. 2) When people from N.I. go to others parts of the U.K. they are immediately labelled as Irish, asked if they live near Dublin or Cork and are generally seen as foreigners (and perhaps other U.K.ers could equally accuse N.I. of being ignorant of their accent/identity) 3) the N.I. people who consider themelves as Irish, pay their taxes to the British state and are subjugate to British law and government.   

People without identity will never be content because as humans we need identity and purpose and that feeling of belonging.

Bye God bless.

[On_the_trot]

Sorry that didn't really answer your question out. the problem in south Africa was sorted out and as I've heard a few South Africans say, "I never thought Aparteid would be over". Also Montreal experienced the same kind of tension in the 1970s and although the tension has not disappeared and the Bloc qu�becois still want a sovereign independant quebec 'anglos' and 'francos' pretty much get on with their lives peacefully and do not live in segragated areas or bom b each other.

[bernardo]

England had the same bitter Protestant / Catholic divisions in the 16th and 17th centuries - but it gradually became less important politically.

[BUNNY]

On_the_trot, I couldn't agree with you more!I had  a discussion with a friend about this recently and came to the same conclusion.People in NI are like children who have been damaged by a very bitter divorce,with parents fighting over custody.Its a shame the whole country couldnt be put into therapy!!

[liestef]

In Montreal in the 60s and 70s the 300year-old fued between the French speakers and English speakers reached an explosive and deadly climax. I wrote my dissertation on this.

Anyway, it all started 300 years ago when the original French settlers claimed the British had stolen their land when actually it was won in many battles. The French got a bit of a chip on their shoulder and while there is still a bit of hostility and a few mindless bigots on BOTH sides, the peace has been kept.

[liestef]

Oh, I thought of another one: The Scots and the English.

[liestef]

And another couple...the Greeks and the Turks, East and West Germany, the Allies and the Germans...the list goes on, actually! Too many conflicts in the world! PEACE!

[On_the_trot]

Thank you Bunny :-)