Operation Banner ends tonight after 38 years. Security in the province becomes the responsibility of the police alone.

A succesful operation? At what cost?

British Army ends operations in NI

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let me count your buttons dear, one two three...

A good sign?
Ever since THIS happened ........

I think things can only look up for N.I. and definitely at least something better for the future. Sinn Fein now have their 2 cents thrown into the running of things I really think the IRA will lay off altogether, exceot the few that have side projects in other criminal activity.

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Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good. -- Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man

what i'm curious about is whether the military presence helped or hindered the steps toward the peace process, or whether it made no difference, ie was the military operation a success.

i'm curious because people keep name checking northern ireland as a success when they discuss the west's military presence in iraq

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let me count your buttons dear, one two three...

really?!
I don't live there, Im on the opposite end of the country. Miss Steele and co. would know better because of their first hand experience.
From stories, a soldier blinded a small boy who taunted him, for life and still to this day isnt remorseful. I can imagine the boy's family wasnt too happy.
I think the mere presense of ANYTHING military heightens tentions. For the IRA, anything that represents "oppression" has to go. A British soldier symbolically would not be good that way, in easing tension. Even children threw stones at them.....theirmere presence may make cause for conflict. Any progress was not because of them, but change in the minds of the people alone.

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Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good. -- Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man

"He said the British Army had killed citizens in the province yet no solider has ever been brought to justice"

"He said: "As a native of Bessbrook and South Armagh I remember the day the British Army arrived here in 1969. At times it was difficult to imagine the day when they would leave but I am glad that that day has arrived."

As you can see by their unpopularity, I dont see how they could bring about 'peace' in the minds of their opposition, if they have done anything "productive," it would be purely on a physical basis, but not on a mental basis. Peace did not come up there by force but by democratic politics, using one's head, not one's gun.

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Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good. -- Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man