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comment on article 19 Comments
Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 at 08:44 PM


Surprise as George Bush intervenes in Northern Ireland peace process


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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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Posted by Spiritranger on 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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Posted by killowen on 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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Posted by rcrdskpr@aol.com on 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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Posted by IrishAndProud on 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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Posted by irishwxman on 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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Posted by IrishAndProud on 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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Posted by IrishAndProud on 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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Posted by acareybarr on 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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Posted by beachline on 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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Posted by Bridgetftmyers on Mar 10, 2010, 10:20 AM EST
YES GEORGE SOME OF US MISS YOU !!!!!!
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Posted by rosks304 on 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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Posted by Chieftain on 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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Posted by IrishAndProud on 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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Posted by ForeverIrish on 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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Posted by Ulster1 on 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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Posted by Monsoonman on Mar 09, 2010, 10:59 AM EST
A popular billboard going up around America features a picture of President Bush with the caption under it: "miss me yet?" http://timesonline.typepad.com/comment/2010/02/the-mystery-dubya-poster-miss-me-yet.html
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Posted by GRyanUSN on Mar 09, 2010, 10:11 AM EST
Chieftain, Thank you for sharing your "colourful," uneducated, ignorant rambling. It is always refreshing to hear, or read, an idiot shout out his stupidity!! Sláinte
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Posted by Chieftain on Mar 09, 2010, 08:12 AM EST
Why is that eejit Bush trying to "fix" other countries when he completely F**ked UP America? Just like in office, he always has other motives up his sleeve. Do us and every Irishman a favor and stay on your own soil
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Posted by Madeleine on Mar 09, 2010, 12:16 AM EST
If you have no one to handle your own affairs then you are in big trouble, that would be like the other side bringing in people from China to handle their side of it, would you like that? I don't' think so, its like bully tactics, calling the big bad USA after them. Do your own talking, you will be better off for it, if they don't agree with you, there is always compromise.
 




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