In a country like Northern Ireland, which has been ravaged by violence for almost thirty years, raising hopes only for them to be subsequently dashed can have very dangerous consequences indeed. That is why the two communities in Northern Ireland, both unionist and nationalist, have been significantly reserved in their response to what is undoubtedly the most momentous political development in the island of Ireland for over 75 years. Yes, the Good Friday Agreement, which was hammered out after more than 36 hours of continuous political haggling between the representatives of almost all political shades in Ireland at the climax of an agonizing four-year process, has not been greeted with parties in the street. The fact that the dream of a peaceful political settlement in Northern Ireland is now a firm reality may have provoked screams of joy within the homes across the country - but they have been silent ones. Nobody can quite believe what has happened.
Nobody quite dares to believe.
The majority are praying it will work. Of course there are those who oppose the Agreement. For the extremists of both communities the Agreement leaves a foul taste of surrender, treachery and sell-out. And with these marginalized groups declaring their belligerent opposition to the peace process in the uncertain weeks before the referenda, violence has re-emerged on the streets. Since the historic day at Easter, two men have been shot dead, with the non-ceasefire paramilitary groups, the Loyalist Volunteer Force and Irish National Liberation Army, both suspected of carrying out one murder each.