cornerofIrelandtheretodayexist,side-by-side, twocommunitieswithseparate andconflicting identities andloyalties. Although nosingleactionoreventcan beadduced toaccount forthesedifferences andalthough theirorigins andcauses lieinthedeeperrecesses ofhistory, thepresent formoftheconflict derives, in largemeasure, fromthecharacter oftheenforced political division ofIreland in 1920. DuringtheperiodofNorthern Ireland's separate existence theIrishidentity oftheminority nationalist community therehasessentially beendisregarded. Althoughitisamajority withinNorthern Ireland itself, theunionist community foritsparthasalwaysfeltitsBritish heritage underthreatonaccount ofits statusasaminority withintheislandofIreland asawhole. Asaconsequence it hastendedtoshapethepolitical, civil,judicial andsecurity institutions of Northern Ireland entir21y according toitsownethosandinawaywhichhas effectively excluded nationalists fromfullparticipation inthem.Thisexclusion isallthemoretragicgiventhestrong commitmentmostnationalists hav"';JSM/glIr A/40/PV.l3 43 (Mr.Barry,Ireland) displayed topeaceful democratic andconstitutional methods Cifseeking redress. As aresult, nationalists havebecomt:progressively alienated fromthepolitical and &dministrative framework ofNorthern Ireland andtheyhavehadlittletoshowfor theiradherence todemocratic politics. Although thesituation hasbecomecritical underthecloudoftheviolence of recentyears,hitherto noneoftheefforts tofindandsustain awayoutofthis political impasse hassucceeded. However, anattemptisnowbeingmadetoapproach theproblem fromanewperspective, anattempt whichIbelieve offers the possibility ofprogress. Lastyear,Ireported totheGeneral Assembly ontheexploratory dialogue whichhadbegunbetween theIrishandBritish Governments intheaftermath ofthe publication ofthereportoftheNewIreland Forum. InNovember 1984the Taoiseach. Dr.GarretFitzGerald, andtheBritish PrimeMinister, Mrs.Margaret Thatcher, metatChequers inBritain .'lodagreedthat: Ill•••theidentities ofboththemajority andminority communitiesinNorthern Ireland shouldberespected andreflected inthestructures andprocesses of Northern Ireland inwaysacceptable tobothcommunities". Thisagreement reflected themajorrequirements forasolution putforward by theForuminitsceportsixmonthspreviously. Clearly, thisistheonlyfoundation onwhichprogress canbebuiltand sustained. Progress cannotbemadebygiving onecommunity avictoryatthe expense oftheotherorbythrea~fling inantvlaytherightsofnationalists orof unionists. Instead, progress tc.wards lasting peaceandstability requires thatthe identities, l~alties andoutlooks ofbothcommunities beaccommodated onanequal flooting. I,asamemberoftheGovernment ofIreland, believe thatIrish nationalists have,forourpart,madeclearthrough theForumreportouracceptance ofunionis trights.JSM/gmr A/40/PV.13 44-45 (Mr.Barry,Ireland) Thenegotiations between thetwoGovernments havecontinued onthebasisof thiscommondiagnosis oftheproblem. Ascanbeimagined, examining waysof putting fleshonthebonesofthis agr~ed viewoftheproblem anddevising political structures whichwould,inpractice, protect andpromote bothidentities equally, isalengthy andarduous process. Itisalsoaprocess whichdemands difficult decisions frombothGovernments. Itwillsoonbetimeforboth Governments totakeafinaldecision toproceed ontheha~isoftheoverall package thatcomesbefore them. Bothunionists andnationalists arenaturally concerned aboutthedegreeof publicuncertainty arising fromtheconfidential natureofthesetalks. Ihave greatsympathy withtheirdilemma. Inrecentweekswehaveheardirresponsible voicesraised byextremists inbothofthosecommunities butmoststridently onthe unionist sidewhichhavesoughttoexploit thesefearsanduncertainties andto stirthepeople uptoviolence andhatred. Northern nationalists knowwhereIstand. Iwouldnowliketousethis important occasion torepeat whatIhavealready saidtotheunionist peopleof Northern Ireland withallthesincerity andauthority atmycommand. TheIrish Government hasnodesigns ontheirrights. Weaccept andacknowledge their Britishness. Werespect andwillrespect theirreasons foropposing Irishunity. Wemeanthemnoill-will; quitethecontrary.:EHS/12 A/40/W.l3 46 (M~.Barry,Ireland)
**Analysis**
The text discusses the political conflict in Northern Ireland and the efforts to find a peaceful solution. It highlights the complex identities and loyalties of the two communities and the need to accommodate both. The text also mentions the importance of respecting the rights of both communities and the need for difficult decisions to be made.

**Category**
Politics, Culture