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2 December 1999 Edition

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Dúirt siad...

From selling banned newspapers, through the experiences of proscription, imprisonment, assassinations and censorship; from being spokespersons on resistance to British rule to being representatives of the community who resisted, Sinn Féin has entered government in the North honourably, to change the North for the better and to be changed for the better itself.

- Former An Phoblacht editor Danny Morrison in the Examiner, Tuesday, 30 November

 


The appointment [of Martin McGuinness as education minister] is the political equivalent of child abuse.

Daily Telegraph editorial, Tuesday, 30 November. In a world of change, it is almost reassuring to know that some opinions will never change

 


There are signs that the republican movement has been angered by David Trimble's decision to write a post-dated letter of resignation from any new power sharing executive if the IRA does not hand over weapons by the end of February 2000.

Chris Anderson in the Examiner, Tuesday, 30 November

 


The delegates to the Ulster Unionist Council, just 58% of them to be precise, bought the Trimble package, and not the package agreed by their leader and Mr. Adams under the chairmanship of Senator Mitchell.

- Frank Millar in the Irish Times, Monday, 29 November

 


They have decided to defer making a decision at all on the issue until they see the actual commitments which the republicans have made being met, and we'll see that in the next week.

The UDP's Gary McMichael on the failure of the UDA/UFF to appoint a representative to the De Chastelain body

 


We will not be jumping with Mr Trimble and Mr Adams - we will be jumping on them.

DUP leader Ian Paisley after Saturday's Ulster Unionist Council vote

 


It is the aspiration of nationalists that we see a united Ireland... it is not going to happen shortly in a quick period of time, but it will be done.

Bertie Ahern on the vote

 


I have absolutely no knowledge of any letter... It could very well be that some of the Yes members did it. They're beginning to panic.

The DUP's Willie McCrea on a letter sent to members of the Ulster Unionist Council prior to last Saturday's meeting purporting to come from Gerry Adams

 


Let us try to imagine where we will all be in ten years time... Are we wise enough to recognise an alternative road to that which we have trudged for so long?

Gerry Adams, speaking to republicans last week in Dublin

 


It is a deep scar which meanders its way for hundreds of kilometres across our island. It is one of the most criminal of a long line of crimes committed by the English.

Gerry Adams quoted in Paddy Logue's new book, The Border

 


Pointless, trite lines keep coming off my nib, my wastepaper basket is full of shite about the border. the only thing I can think to say is Fuck the Border. But you'd probably want more than three words.

Singer Christy Moore in the same book

 


They invest about 22% of their GNP in medical care and in health services and the same amount in education. They are not spending huge amounts of money on arms or the army. Their money goes towards the welfare of their own people. Unfortunately, many are dying because of the blockade.

Former Dublin footballer Dr David Hickey, writing in last Sunday's Sunday World on the U.S. blockade of Cuba

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