The two Irish nationalists, Gerry Adams and John Hume believe that Ireland should
be a state on it's own but differ bitterly over whether violence is a legitimate way of
making the country whole. The talks involve questions about what would happen if the
IRA were to re-announce attacks, that they could find a way for the future of Ireland
that nationalists, unionists, and the British and Irish governments might accept ("Kee"
18). Reinforced history over the past 25 years demonstrates that as far as the protestant
unionists of Ulster are concerned, a United Republican Ireland can never be accepted
("Kee" 18).
England and the Republic of Ireland have both renounced claims to Ulster in order
that the citizens of Ulster can create some form of self-government ("Stacks" 50).
England wants to resolve the conflict in Northern Ireland because of the excessive cost is
has to give out each year. The British government estmates that it spends 4.5 billion a
year for the military and economic aid to Northern Ireland. Public support for the IRA
has declined both in Ireland and the United States because of the disgust of the senseless
killings. The US government estimates that money coming from the United States to
support the IRA activities have dropped to about 200,000 a year from millions a few
tears ago ("Stacks" 50).
The people who have committed their lives to violence may not be ready to accept a
compromise which could have an effect on the negotiations ("Stacks" 51).