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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Surprise as George Bush intervenes in Northern Ireland peace process

Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 at 08:44 PM

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George Bush has intervened in the Northern Irish peace process in his first active role in politics since leaving the White House.

He called Conservative party leader David Cameron on Friday and urged him to get Ulster Unionists to vote for a key package on policing and justice set to be decided today. The Guardian newspaper broke the news in a lead story on Tuesday morning

Bush made a direct plea to David Cameron because his party and the Ulster Unionist have agreed a pact in the British general election set for early summer.

However, the Bush intervention failed as Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey has now stated that his party will vote against the package. Ulster Unionist support is not necessary for the pact to pass, as the largest unionist party the DUP is voting for it, but their refusal to sign up sends a worrying signal.

This is despite the fact that an opinion poll yesterday showed 75 per cent of the people of Northern Ireland in favor of the policing and justice deal.

Bush called Cameron last Friday to ask him to use his political muscle to ensure that the package, one of the last pieces of the puzzle in the peace process, will be passed

One source quoted by The Guardian stated : "The fact that George W Bush has decided to intervene is really significant. He was interested in the peace process as president and appointed an envoy. It is a general sign of how concerned people are in the US about what David Cameron is up to.

"There was a feeling that a conservative to conservative conversation was the right way to go about this," "This conversation was borne out of the concern that Empey is holding out."

Another source stated : "This is the most active thing George W Bush has done in his post-presidency period. He has been incredibly restrained and diplomatic since leaving the White House. He has maintained radio silence."

The Guardian reported that that the US economic envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, persuaded Bush to intervene.

A Tory source said: "George Bush did have a conversation with David Cameron. It was a positive conversation. David underlined his commitment to the agreement and said we are doing all we can to support it. But he said that we cannot force Sir Reg to vote for it. George Bush thanked David and said, 'I can see you are engaged.'"

There are fears that the Tory/Unionist pact will bring an end to the even handed approach of Labor governments to Northern Ireland where neither side was favored.

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Spiritranger | Mar 12, 2010, 01:51 PM EST

Many people miss George Bush now over on the American side of the pond. Never thought we'd think that! Yes, good Lord, anyone is better than the Obama-Biden-HClinton trinity of self delusion and narcissism!

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killowen | Mar 10, 2010, 11:17 PM EST

Stay away moron you'll screw things up worse than they are. We know how masterfully you handled the land of the free....

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rcrdskpr@aol.com | Mar 10, 2010, 05:47 PM EST

quit bellyaching about bushs' advice, or we will send jimmy carter or joe biden over

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IrishAndProud | Mar 10, 2010, 05:29 PM EST

Here's just one reason (of many) that Obama is in dire straits, in the USA. People just don't like this sort of thing. Cut and past this into the browser above, then read it and weep (and try to find even one untrue thing, in it). And mind you, this is a NEW YORK newspaper: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/final_reform_push_0pwRMzHMNshlHQZg8LWmcJ

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irishwxman | Mar 10, 2010, 04:15 PM EST

I was going to comment, but IrishAndProud pretty much said it all. Good job.

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IrishAndProud | Mar 10, 2010, 02:55 PM EST

Besides, Bush with all his faults still cannot hold a candle to Obama...who's messing up the USA far MORE than Bush ever dreamed; not a single national U.S. poll shows majority support for Obama anymore, on virtually any major issue...and his party is in serious peril, with the voters. Say what you will about Bush; he never had it this bad, politically -- not even at the height of his worst days.

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IrishAndProud | Mar 10, 2010, 02:48 PM EST

Ah, I see Bush-bashing is still a trendy fad, for those still stuck in the past (because they have nothing in the present to crow about). Of course, some of these same folks didn't mind 'meddling' by Bill Clinton, or would love to see B. Hussein Obama involved (who's in deep, deep trouble in the USA). And of course...many of these same Irish commentators love to bash the USA and tell US how to do things...but of course can't stand the reverse (which isn't even being done).

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acareybarr | Mar 10, 2010, 12:20 PM EST

Balderdash. "Incredibly diplomatic", indeed. Young George is silent because he never had and still hasn't anything he can say, never mind say well. It is misleading to use "George Bush" in title. One might even hope the older Bush might have been the Bush in question.

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beachline | Mar 10, 2010, 11:06 AM EST

We don't need George Bush interfering in Irelands policies and problems. He and Cheney messed up the USA so badly that it will take years to modify the policies and get other nations to trust the forked tongued politicians. STAY HOME GEORGE-- TAKE CARE OF YOUR RANCH AND STAY OUT OF IRELAND !!

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Bridgetftmyers | Mar 10, 2010, 10:20 AM EST

YES GEORGE SOME OF US MISS YOU !!!!!!

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rosks304 | Mar 10, 2010, 09:40 AM EST

I reckon Northern Ireland is very lucky that they do not have oil reserves,otherwise G.Bush wold be motivated differently,you all saw his attitude towards Iraq. smarock10@yahoo.com

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Chieftain | Mar 10, 2010, 09:27 AM EST

GRyanUSN Go raibh maith agat ach go mbeire an diabhal leis thú! Sláinte agus Tainte!

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IrishAndProud | Mar 10, 2010, 05:31 AM EST

Sorry, Ulster1...NOTHING in the way of healthcare is 'free.' You pay for it through the nose (or perhaps elsewhere) with TAXES...lots and LOTS of taxes. And as for the QUALITY of your 'free' health care -- I didn't exactly see you bragging on that part of it. Maybe that explains why so many folks from the UK and Canada keep coming over here, for health care.

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ForeverIrish | Mar 09, 2010, 08:47 PM EST

Ulster1, You and "Chieftain" must be members of the same UUP Council! And as far as our health care is concerned we get what we pay for...

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Ulster1 | Mar 09, 2010, 05:56 PM EST

While I want justice and policing powers back in the hands of the ELECTED representatives of Northern Ireland, I do not want to have Bush interfering. Americans--fix your own broken, screwed-up country first--then, and only then, can you offer any moral example to the rest of the world. (By the way, if you need hospital care in Northern Ireland, we won't send you a bill; it's free!)

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