Political Quotes

“during the last 36 months the world has witnessed extraordinary change at a breathtaking pace. The dismantling of the Berlin Wall, the demise of the Soviet Union, majority rule in South Africa, and most recently, the historic talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The season of peace and democracy seems to be among us. On this day when we celebrate the birth of St. Patrick, let us renew our efforts to finally bring peace and justice to Northern Ireland. For there is now a chance to end the bloody sectarian strife that has killed more than 3,000 men, women, and children during the past 25 years. An effective framework for dialog between all parties and all traditions may now exist. On both islands there is palpable desire to end this bitter conflict. And those concerned about the fate of Northern Ireland, both here in the United States and elsewhere, are hopeful that the days of the gun and the bomb may be numbered. Mr. Speaker, history reminds us that partition simply does not work, whether it is in Vietnam, Korea, or Germany. The legitimate aspirations of people simply cannot be denied. The British have to accept the fact that they cannot defeat the Irish Republican Army, and the IRA has to accept the fact that they cannot defeat the 17,000 British troops who now occupy the six counties of Northern Ireland. This stalemate is simply no longer acceptable, and must be expeditiously resolved.”