Belfast Hosts Final Push For Lasting Peace

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

A former US peace envoy to Northern Ireland will return to Belfast next week to deal with the unfinished business of the Good Friday Agreement.

Dr Richard Haass, who was a senior diplomat at the State Department, has three thorny issues on his agenda: flags, parades and dealing with the past.

Previous attempts to address lingering tensions between the two communities have failed, resulting in the worst year of rioting on the streets for a decade.

Dr Haass said: "The news of the violence over the last six to nine months comes as a surprise to be honest, an unwelcome surprise."

Some of the most serious clashes came in north Belfast, where members of the Orange Order were prohibited from completing their annual parade in July.

Loyalists, who support the march, have been encamped by the side of the road since and welcome the latest attempt to resolve the outstanding issues.

Tina Patrick, who organises protesters, said: "I believe it has to be a win-win situation. It's about respect for both communities and I believe when we sit down around a table and can deliver for both communities, a deal will be done."

Some of the most serious clashes took place in north Belfast

Frank Dempsey, who speaks for nationalist residents on Carrick Hill, was less optimistic of an agreement unless people on the ground engage in the initiative.

He said: "I don't want to be pessimistic, pouring cold water on this. The guy's coming here to try and do a job but in my opinion, I think he'll be going back the way he came, scratching his head."

Church leaders are urging the "silent majority" - those who have moved on since the agreement 15 years ago - to express their desire for peace online.

The Methodist President in Ireland, Rev Dr Heather Morris, said: "HopeandHistory.com is an initiative to give voice to ordinary Christian people. I do believe there's a ground swell in terms of hope, especially at this time as Dr Haass is coming."

Dr Haass, who succeeded Senator George Mitchell as America's peace envoy, has three months to navigate his way through the centuries of sectarian division here.

No one envies his task of making riots a thing of the past so that Northern Ireland can achieve its hope of a shared future.

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