The twelfth passed without incident. Although many Unionists felt betrayed by their leaders, the Orange Order did not split, as many had feared. A scant seven days later the IRA announced a reinstatement of its cease-fire, opening the way for Sinn Fein to participate in all party talks. These talks, chaired by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, have now formally begun. All is not roses.
Unrepentant extremists continue to bomb and shoot their way into the news.
Politicians on all sides of the conflict continue to belch out tired statements of defiance. However, an opportunity exists to steadily limp and crawl toward a permanent settlement of the Northern Irish conflict. A solitary charred shell of a bus stands as a warning to all parties of the consequences of squandering this opportunity. It would be a tragedy for Northern Ireland to return to business as usual. Robin O'Brien is a second year MA student in Conflict Management.