Some look suspiciously like the leaders of the Serbian forces wanted for massacres such as that at Srebrenica, some like those wielding absolute power in Baghdad, some like those wanted for the Omagh bombing. It worries me that there is tendency in Western politics to hope that things are not as bad as they look, that the fanatics can be weaned away from terror. Circumstances,' says Burke, 'give reality to every political principle, its distinguishing colour and discriminating effect. Having taken this first step away from abstraction towards reality, we need space to explore possibilities. This is what I have tried to do in Northern Ireland.
Critics say that concessions are a sign of weakness.
Prophetic words when we think of the history of the British Empire. But the achievement of peace depends on a willingness not to be too precise or pedantic. Amos Oz agrees, 'Inconsistency is the basis of coexistence. The heroes of tragedy, driven by consistency and by righteousness, destroy each other. Again, the warning is not to aim for abstract perfection.