unionist. and what happened as a result of this, there's this democratic alignment that that they show in this in places like new orleans, in northern alabama, has tremendously important effects in reconstruction when the republican coalition breaks down and these white unionists go back to the democratic party, they come back into the democratic fold and contribute very directly and very consequentially to the core of redemption of their states. and that's a lot to understand in the deep south, like in new orleans, in these places with when you think about the fact they're not abandoning the republican party. so much as they are just coming home as the democratic party as they saw it. so there are democratic politics in the deep south as opposed to the upper south. is actually one of their interesting distinguishing features. and you're really helping us understand a dynamic. we've understood that those white southern unionists are the weak link in that coalition, susceptible to pressure. and

unionist typically— presents then the unionist.resence of— northern ireland. they would see the presence of lobbying groups on capitoi— presence of lobbying groups on capitol hill, senior american politicians who also talk about their _ politicians who also talk about their irish ancestral roots as meaning _ their irish ancestral roots as meaning that they have a hostile political — meaning that they have a hostile political culture there to the poiitics _ political culture there to the politics of unionism. but we have seen, _ politics of unionism. but we have seen. over— politics of unionism. but we have seen, overthe politics of unionism. but we have seen, over the years, politics of unionism. but we have seen, overthe years, some politics of unionism. but we have seen, over the years, some shifts. for e>

>> you did say that we are unionists leaning paper.ll be writing it out from that perspective. it was interesting with the president xi. -- what the president said. is irish-american and once dismissed the bbc. that is of concern to our readers. there was concern he would start schooling unionists. he did not do that. he started by talking about his english -- and, joking about that and having some military ancestor. he talked about the ulster scots. even that phrase is something that for unionists in northern ireland is not well-known. it is essentially a way of saying protestants from northern ireland who settled in north america. he talked about the great history that they showed. even when it came the point where he sort of scolding the dup about power-sharing, he introduced the line is up to you. he did not cite the dup. he was not trying to embarrass anybody. it would be good to see stormont backer, but i cannot decide. it was a long way from scolding about brexit and saying that the good friday agreement had to be protected when

the ulster unionist party, led by david trimble, was the largest unionist group, and took the risk of come to the conclusion that the only way you could defend your interests was to physically be at the table and negotiate them, that meant swallowing a lot of very difficult things, including the fact that we had people in that building whom we knew had significant terrorist involvement, but they would not have been in that building had they been winning the fight on the ground. during those momentous days, the peace process was a big topic at my old school. we discussed it in class and debated it and the current affairs society. the year of 1997—98 was a year of expectancy and tension in northern ireland politics, with parties working around the clock to try and reach an agreement by the may deadline. the current affairs team consisted of chairperson simon mcavoy, committee members, gail mcconnell, and secretary victoria dunaden. it felt like such an exciting time because what we were studying in the classroom wasn't in a textbook. we all remember very well. when president clinton cam

i believe every unionist has the same _ i believe every unionist has the same objective at heart, to be restored fully in— ireland's place must be restored fully in the united kingdom. that is a promise, — fully in the united kingdom. that is a promise, in paragraph one of annex a promise, in paragraph one of annex a in the _ a promise, in paragraph one of annex a in the belfast agreement, it must move _ a in the belfast agreement, it must move forward with cross community consensus, — move forward with cross community consensus, the absolute core of the agreement — consensus, the absolute core of the agreement. that people like eoin and the alliance party are celebrating this weekend. let's stick to those core principles. you cannot ignore the deep — core principles. you cannot ignore the deep and genuine concerns of significant — the deep and genuine concerns of significant community of northern tretand _ significant community of northern ireland. we know from our history that does— ireland. we know from our history that does not work. we are not being unreasonable, we are asking f

the ulster unionist party, led by david trimble, was the largest unionist group, and took the risk ofad come to the conclusion that the only way you could defend your interests was to physically be at the table and negotiate them, that meant swallowing a lot of very difficult things, including the fact that we had people in that building whom we knew had significant terrorist involvement, but they would not have been in that building had they been winning the fight on the ground. during those momentous days, the peace process was a big topic at my old school. we discussed it in class and debated it in the current affairs society. the year of 1997—98 was a year of expectancy and tension in northern ireland politics, with parties working around the clock to try and reach an agreement by the may deadline. the current affairs team consisted of chairpersons simon mcavoy, committee members, gail mcconnell, and secretary victoria dunaden. it felt like such an exciting time because what we were studying in the classroom wasn't in a textbook. we all remember very well whenever president clinto

do you know some unionists who are not happy i some unionists who are not happy about his trip here?t would be going — short the triple b. it would be going to — short the triple b. it would be going to be stuck around a little bit longer, and had the opportunity to visit_ bit longer, and had the opportunity to visit organisations and charities, to see what work we are doing _ charities, to see what work we are doing in_ charities, to see what work we are doing in terms of peace building. but, _ doing in terms of peace building. but, unfortunately, there is no time for that, _ but, unfortunately, there is no time forthat, due — but, unfortunately, there is no time for that, due to the short nature of the trip, _ for that, due to the short nature of the trip, so — for that, due to the short nature of the trip, so i — for that, due to the short nature of the trip, so i think that is something that could be considered, --oin something that could be considered, going forward. can something that could be considered, going forward-— going forward. can you explain to --eole, going forward.

the problem is that the key unionist party in northern ireland, the democratic unionist party, refusesow, do you believejoe biden will go to belfast and try to convince the dup that they must accept this deal? well, the dup, they were in washington recently, i've had a long—standing relationship with them, and even where we might disagree, i think that part of what we want to accomplish here is prodding them to sit in government. in a democratic election, sometimes we might not like the result, but that doesn't give us the ability to walk away from a result after we've signed up for an agreement that brought about the idea of self—representative democracy. i think the danger here is that in the framework that was outlined by the prime minister, which i think is a pretty good one, incidentally, i think was the best path forward after a lot of deliberation, and remember this, there is a great deal of ambiguity in the good friday agreement, but the election that took place, the result of which the dup might have disagreed with, should not be the purpose and reason for leaving what i calle

.— nationalist and unionist.tionalist and unionist. building on what has been _ nationalist and unionist. building on what has been agreed - nationalist and unionist. building on what has been agreed in - nationalist and unionist. building on what has been agreed in the i nationalist and unionist. building i on what has been agreed in the last 25 years, we are seeing that resurgence of dissident republicans value talked about. it is too simplistic to talk about them exploiting a power vacuum. they have never completely gone away, have they? never completely gone away, have the ? , ., ., ., , ., they? they have not, and it is a little simplistic, _ they? they have not, and it is a little simplistic, but _ they? they have not, and it is a little simplistic, but we - they? they have not, and it is a little simplistic, but we should. they? they have not, and it is a i little simplistic, but we should say that the fact that we do not have normal working some democracy does not help. the fact that we have the celebrati

i’m impartial voice when it comes to the interests of unionists?— interests of unionists?ists? i'm not sure his answer to _ interests of unionists? i'm not sure his answer to that, _ interests of unionists? i'm not sure his answer to that, i _ interests of unionists? i'm not sure his answer to that, i suppose - interests of unionists? i'm not sure his answer to that, i suppose the l his answer to that, i suppose the next 2a hours will tell us more about that. certainly his background is very irish american, and that's just the way it is. you know, he did infamously say a few months ago that he may be irish but is not stupid. i'm glad i didn't say that because you could've been accused of being slightly racist if you had. but he is the most powerful person in the free world, he does hold a very high office, and he can bring advantages with him and after him. so let's see what he has to say, i'm not quite sure what he meant as he was about to board air force one about keeping the peace and the agreements. the cease—fires were declared 30 years ago next year, in 1994, so than

there will be those particularly on the unionist side who will see the trip more — the unionist side more negatively because they will see _ trip more negatively because they will see this administration as having — will see this administration as having been very supportive of the irish government position and eu position— irish government position and eu position and relation to brexit negotiations. we would have seenjoe bidens— negotiations. we would have seenjoe biden's face on posters against the northerh_ biden's face on posters against the northern ireland protocol brokered against _ northern ireland protocol brokered against negotiations so for some people _ against negotiations so for some people they will welcome the visit but particularly for unionists they will not _ but particularly for unionists they will not be fast. and but particularly for unionists they will not be fast.— but particularly for unionists they will not be fast. and there are some who see it as _ will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a _ will not be fast. and there are some who see it as a

unionism especially, one thing i learned about the unionists is if you _ thing i learned about the unioniststhey are fundamentally in disagreement with, it is usually futite _ in disagreement with, it is usually futile pressure, even if it comes from _ futile pressure, even if it comes from the — futile pressure, even if it comes from the us, so you have got to use that influence carefully. he from the us, so you have got to use that influence carefully.— that influence carefully. he says there is a difference _ that influence carefully. he says there is a difference between i there is a difference between influencing and pressuring the unionists, would you agree with that and the approach that tony blair recommends?— and the approach that tony blair recommends? yes, i agree totally. ton blair recommends? yes, i agree totally. tony blair and _ recommends? yes, i agree totally. tony blair and i— recommends? yes, i agree totally. tony blair and i were _ recommends? yes, i agree totally. tony blair and i were at _ recommends? yes, i agree totally. tony blair and i were at this - recommends? yes

ulster unionist— ulster unionist party and the ulster unionist party, was the tra— ulster unionist partyiddle, but he didn't. a bit like rishi sunak. now, he didn't eottrot— like rishi sunak. now, he didn't eottrot tte— like rishi sunak. now, he didn't control the whole— like rishi sunak. now, he didn't control the whole party totally . amt — control the whole party totally . and instead— control the whole party totally . and instead of— control the whole party totally . and instead of trying to bring ttose— . and instead of trying to bring ttose trom — . and instead of trying to bring those from the— . and instead of trying to bring those from the other side with him— those from the other side with ttm, ttose — those from the other side with him, those from _ those from the other side with him, those from within his own party— him, those from within his own party uttt— him, those from within his own party uttt ttm,— him, those from within his own party with him, he expelled them and party with him, he expelled them amt-wett— party with him, he expelled them amt-went to— party with him,

but some unionists remained highly sceptical that violent paramilitaries would give up their weapons.sts if we are going to be in an executive with people, there's no threat of armed resistance, or, you know, leverage hanging over us. the prime ministers continue their marathon effort... - the talks had reached the moment of truth. ifeel the hand of history upon our shoulder. the two governments and the political parties of northern ireland have reached agreement. when i went out to brief the media, ijust felt - i was going to start crying. partly exhaustion, because we'd been | going days without that much sleep, i but just a sort of sense of... ..god, this looks like it's actually happening. - good evening. after 30 years of conflict, after thousands of violent deaths, northern ireland was given the chance of a new beginning. the agreement was hailed around the world. northern ireland today has the promise of a spring time of peace. but 25 years on, the question of whether to be part of the uk or ireland is still unresolved and there's no functioning government. the political battle

the unionists ve really not liked that, the protestant unionists. the government and the european union have now finally negotiated out a settlement which takes away most of the practical issues. the unionists are still saying they still feel that they are still in a different regime than the rest of great britain. but they're now a very isolated within northern ireland politics. and what president biden's visit said today was, they're very isolated in global affairs. so they really have a big choice. do they continue with this boycott, or do they try to find a way back in, even though they're not that happy? nick: explain that political significance of president biden's trip today to belfast. could his trip at all end some of the political impasse? duncan: i don't think anybody expects that president biden's visits on its own will do. what he has done is underline a number of things. first of all, america is actually a player here and is committed to what we call here the open border in ireland. and his irishness plays into that. but i also think h

, the unionist position within the uk then brexit had been.e? if there wasn't a return to stormont that's a night united ireland becomes a much more likely prospect?— more likely prospect? brexit is the chief villain — more likely prospect? brexit is the chief villain here _ more likely prospect? brexit is the chief villain here and _ more likely prospect? brexit is the chief villain here and i _ more likely prospect? brexit is the chief villain here and i don't - more likely prospect? brexit is the chief villain here and i don't say i chief villain here and i don't say that this is a person that opinion but is a chief issue. the lack of a power—sharing government is also a question because during the brexit negotiations, during the negotiations, during the negotiations on the windsor framework, there is not a functioning executive and there are still lots of loose ends. i sit on the house of lords protocol committee on this whole question, on the plane out of the irish political sign in the exit dealer by boris johnson and then disowned and t

unionist—frankly unionist community here frankly do unionist community here frankly ao-hhrh — unionists-back. - biden was anti british. now the americans back. today, americans have hit back. today, the americans have hit back. today,| the—spokesperson the administration spokesperson eayhha— the administration spokesperson saving—simply- saying that is clearly simply uhhue— saying that is clearly simply uhhue aha— saying that is clearly simply untrue and also— saying that is clearly simply untrue and also saying that whhhe— untrue and also saying that whhhe hee— untrue and also saying that while he's very— untrue and also saying that while he's very proud of his rheh— while he's very proud of his irish-roots,- while he's very proud of his irish-roots, very. while he's very proud of his- irish-roots, very proud irish american roots, very proud of irish american roots, very proud or he— irish american roots, very proud of his relationship— irish american roots, very proud of his relationship with reana— of his relationship with ireland, that- of his relationship with ireland, that he is

the moment unionists are in a ninoriiv— moment unionists are in a ninoriiv-ioih- moment unionists areto limited amount of time to actually get back around the table stormont. mean, will table in stormont. i mean, will this be an occasion perhaps when minds will be concentrated ? minds will be concentrated? yes. i mean , i think that the yes. i mean, i think that the inionisi— yes. i mean, i think that the unionist argument that sir jeffrey— unionist argument that sir jeffrey donaldson leaves the higgesi— jeffrey donaldson leaves the biggest party— jeffrey donaldson leaves the biggest party is_ jeffrey donaldson leaves the biggest party is that it would be outrageous— biggest party is that it would be outrageous to attribute what remains a small— be outrageous to attribute what remains a small but serious ierrorisi— remains a small but serious terrorist threat— remains a small but serious terrorist threat to the current sioienoie — terrorist threat to the current stalemate because actually the oissioenis— stalemate because actually the dissidents had _ stalemate because actually the di

, the largest unionist party, who are still refusing tojoin in unionist party, who are still refusingto bring them back into the tent, because it's important that they are. briefly, how would you characterise 25 years on the successes of the good friday agreement? compared with what went before, _ good friday agreement? compared with what went before, the _ good friday agreement? compared with what went before, the horror _ good friday agreement? compared with what went before, the horror and - what went before, the horror and terror of 30 years of the troubles, and we all remember those comedy assassinations, the knee capping comedy bombs going off, the destruction of large parts of belfast and derry, londonderry and other parts of northern ireland and people dying by the thousands as a result, and into that, in that sense it has been very successful. obviously it is not stable, or there would be self—government, and there are still threats from breakaway ira paramilitaries criminally intent, infested, and loyalist ones as well, so there is still work to do.- so there is still work t

the democratic unionist party has been vocal for 14 months over its opposition to oppose a brexit trade on the anniversary of the peace deal, prime minister rishi sunak called on a restoration of government. >> while it is time to reflect on the solid progress we have made together we must also recommit to redoubling our efforts on the promise made in 1998 and the agreements that followed. reporter: he will meet u.s. president joe biden in belfast on tuesday and will launch a major investment summit in northern ireland in september. anchor: to talk more about u.s. president joe biden's visit, let's hear from our correspondent in dublin. suitcaseull of americanh a investment. american investment is up to $1.5 billion in the last decade, the largest in northern ireland and that helps. u.s. president biden will be greeted by prime minister sunak tuesday night but he will only appear publicly a couple of hours the next day at the university of ulster for short remarks. he will not go to the building behind me because the assembly is empty because the democratic unionists party refused to sh

and nationalist alike _ and south, unionist and nationalist alike.und working institutions need to remember those institutions themselves have an integrity of mandate — themselves have an integrity of mandate that is much bigger than any single _ mandate that is much bigger than any single party has. and the agreement was about— single party has. and the agreement was about elective inclusion, it was about— was about elective inclusion, it was about allowing the mandates of all parties. _ about allowing the mandates of all parties, but we have got to a situation _ parties, but we have got to a situation now where one party is using _ situation now where one party is using its— situation now where one party is using its mandate to deny the collective mandate of everybody else and themselves for those devolved institutions. that is not because that was— institutions. that is not because that was written into the good friday — that was written into the good friday agreement. that is because of changes— friday agreement. that is because of changes that w

so all these things unionists are saying, hold on, we oi— unionists are saying, hold on, we oi u veryinsi— and it is now being rumoured inoi ine— and it is now being rumoured that the republic of ireland are going— that the republic of ireland are going io— that the republic of ireland are going io pe— that the republic of ireland are going io be given— that the republic of ireland are going to be given two more meps and going to be given two more meps one oi— going to be given two more meps one oi ouse— going to be given two more meps and of course sinn— going to be given two more meps and of course sinn fein and the woiionoiisis— and of course sinn fein and the nationalists that— and of course sinn fein and the nationalists that sit in this asseniiy— nationalists that sit in this assembly have— nationalists that sit in this assembly have meps in the ioepuiiie— assembly have meps in the nepupiie oi— assembly have meps in the republic of ireland so they eouii— republic of ireland so they could change— republic of ireland so they could change the laws as they woni. — could change the l

so all these things unionists are saying, hold on, we ai— unionists are saying, hold on, we ai a verymoured ihai— and it is now being rumoured ihai ihe— and it is now being rumoured that the republic of ireland are going— that the republic of ireland are going io— that the republic of ireland are going io he— that the republic of ireland are going io he givea— that the republic of ireland are going to be given two more meps and oh— going to be given two more meps and of coarse— going to be given two more meps and of course sinn— going to be given two more meps and of course sinn fein and the waiiomalisis— and of course sinn fein and the nationalists that— and of course sinn fein and the nationalists that sit in this assembly— nationalists that sit in this assembly have— nationalists that sit in this assembly have meps in the hepatic— assembly have meps in the hepwhlie oh— assembly have meps in the republic of ireland so they soull— republic of ireland so they could change— republic of ireland so they could change the laws as they wam. — could change the laws as they wam. so— could cha

he should be off unionists. but of course, the good friday agreement provides the pathway towards constitutional, tmj, for the 1st time in irish history, the opportunity lawfully to legislate or to color referendum is provided for schedule. one of the northern ireland act $980.00. it is the legal or working of the good agreement on for the 1st time provides all way to unification. and really it's in the hands of the people are a respectful analysis is not on the opportunity. has he him to test the principle of consent that the unionist majority, which had underpinned really what was a sectarian state in the north? i go on forever. the last 3 parliaments to which unionism aspired as the local storm of assembly, the west minister assembly, or the west minister coleman. sorry. ah, let me, let me just coming from it with that in mind. i want us to listen to a statement from the head of the democratic unionist party jeffrey donaldson that was made following biden's speech on the good friday agreement this past wednes

the unionists have not really liked that. government and the european union have seen it as an example that takes away most of the practical issues. the unionist are saying they still feel they are in a different regime than the rest of great britain, but they are isolated. what president biden's visit said they are isolated from global affairs. do they continue with the boycott or try to find their way back in, even though they are not that happy? nick: it plain -- six lane the political significance of president biden's trip? >> i don't think anyone expects his visit will do what it has done and underline a number of things. first of all, america is actually a player here and is committed to what we call the open border in ireland. i also think he says there's a possibility of a greater push and advance. nick: the special envoy to northern ireland who is supposed to pick up on trade and investment. >> to pick up on the issue that is the cause of the agreement, northern ireland is a place where you can export into the europe

but those working to bring divided unionist nationalist communities together. believe reconciliation msm long whales. don't think that work of healing was ever done in drawing our communities together and in uniting our hopes for the future in us, seeing that the other is know or shoot me. no threat that we can co exist in the way that many communities across the world managed to achieve the hatred and distrust was born of a 30 year conflict. $3700.00 people died more than half of them civilians. paramilitaries from the irish republican army wanted the british army out. protestant gunmen mounted their own campaign. it ended with what some observers called the political miracle. power sharing was the central prop, but the main players democratic unionists and the d. u. p. and nationalists and shin feign have been at odds. right now the seat of devolve government at stormont is defunct, after the d u. p walked out to the dispute about e. you trade laws and bricks it. alan mcbride is among those accusing politicians of letting their people down in 1993 and i are a

it that is difficult for unionists to deal with.h the protocol that is the legacy of brexit although it is a large part of it, the two main parties in the republic of ireland in the irish parliament will share power with sinn fein at all and yet unionists are expected to. so while the good friday agreement was designed to stop the conflict, which it did because it was of the core problem of identity and now you can be british or irish or both, as you wish, but then the idea was once the assembly and all the other political institutions arrived with north—south bodies between dublin and london, everything else would fall into place behind it, and certain things were left unresolved and they are still unresolved like the legacy of the troubles which one of my colleagues thanks nothing will be achieved in northern ireland until legacy is resolved. b, lat be achieved in northern ireland until legacy is resolved. a lot of eo - le's until legacy is resolved. a lot of peeple's today _ until legacy is resolved. a lot of people's today are _

he basically kind of win the trust of unionists as well as the nationalist politicians. remember, john human been at the p leader, one of the architects of the good friday agreement had been one of the people. it always been on the united states and on in boston, the new york building up support, a nice american networks, including with a president who of course has some connection to power base and delaware politics. so it's an interesting thing to see. all those things come together and mitchell with the man who was that unable to put it off at the time. i want to talk with you about the challenges presented by breaks it in just a moment. but 1st, the good friday agreement. it wasn't the combination of the piece process, but rather the start of that process. what role has the us played post 1998 in keeping the peace process going? well, you have to remember that just after the good friday agreement there was 911 partially . and what happened is that basically the american governments, what was their george w bush administration? put pressure on the right to take commis

party, meter— democratic unionist party, ulster unionists, who are yet to agree— ulster unionists, whoget back to the taetneee ot— at stormont to get back to the business of government. quite why— business of government. quite why .— business of government. quite an , tnoatn— business of government. quite why , though they should listen why, though they should listen to dot — why, though they should listen to dot ott— why, though they should listen to dodi old joe— why, though they should listen to dodi old joe and sinn fein is totatty— to dodi old joe and sinn fein is totally beside— to dodi old joe and sinn fein is totally beside me— to dodi old joe and sinn fein is totally beside me because it's pretty— totally beside me because it's pretty neat— totally beside me because it's pretty clear for— totally beside me because it's pretty clear for ladies and tente— pretty clear for ladies and tente tnat— pretty clear for ladies and gents that sleepy joe, who's ttntet— gents that sleepy joe, who's ttntet to — gents that sleepy joe, who's linked to ireland, is about as strong— linked to ire

reporter: it is here where power should be shared between nationalists and unionists. the democratic unionist party walked out in protest at post brexit trade regulations more than a year ago, and its leader does not show signs of showing his position, despite the presidential warning. >> it's quite something when you think about the president of the u.s. not only pointing the finger at northern ireland, saying you need to work harder, especially the elected representative's, but also pointing out how vulnerable all western democracies are and how that requires people to take up their responsibilities. reporter: people in northern ireland are divided about the u.s. president. when a unionists saying that his visit is like a stopover on his way to the republic of ireland. no walkabouts for joe biden because security is so heavy. but that is not the reason for the shortness of the scheduled. only 16 hours in northern ireland. and only a brief meeting over coffee with the u.k. prime minister rishi sunak. downing street said relations with the u.s. were good. the white hou

but we must also build supports beyond those of us who already identify as unionists.do that we have to show that devolved government within the united kingdom works for northern ireland. applause the fact that the institutions have been down for nine of the last 25 years should be a source of profound concern. over the long term that will not bolster the cause of unionism, i believe that deeply so we need to get the institutions up and running and keep them up and running. let me also say to those who would seek to reform the institutions right now. i understand your frustrations. institutions right now. i understand yourfrustrations. but institutions right now. i understand your frustrations. but history reminds us that nothing in northern ireland has ever been achieved by trying to get around one community or another. so any conversation about reform can only be made once the institutions are up and running again, and if it attracts widespread consent. the belfast good friday agreement left us an extraordinary and precious legacy. when we look backin and precious le

party, ureter— democratic unionist party, ulster unionists, who are yet to agree— ulster unionists,gree to restore power sharing at stormont to get back to the tenets— at stormont to get back to the tuetneee et— at stormont to get back to the business of government. quite why— business of government. quite why .— business of government. quite why , tnettn— business of government. quite why , though they should listen why, though they should listen to why, though they should listen te tett — why, though they should listen te tett ett— why, though they should listen to dodi old joe— why, though they should listen to dodi old joe and sinn fein is tetattw— to dodi old joe and sinn fein is totally beside— to dodi old joe and sinn fein is totally beside me— to dodi old joe and sinn fein is totally beside me because it's pretty— totally beside me because it's pretty tear— totally beside me because it's pretty clear for— totally beside me because it's pretty clear for ladies and tente— pretty clear for ladies and genre tnat— pretty clear for ladies and gents that sleepy joe, who's ttntet— g

on the political side, the democratic unionists are boycotting because of their opposition to the brexitgements. they feel their place in the u.k. has been undermined. they often feel that president biden and other american leaders have not particularly understood the unionists position very well. there is not great hope that they can much to change their position. david:this is a president who he much of his irish ancestry and has called this part diplomacy, part homecoming. >> emotionally, he is more drawn to the republic of ireland where his family has its roots and where heat will spend the bulk of this trip. it is great short visit to belfast. he will spend three days in the republic. he will speak to bothouses of the irish parliament and will be meeting the irish president and having dinner but there is a personal element to from and hes brought on this trip his sister and his son. he is taking them to meet some of their relatives. david: family roots run deep there. the white house has been telling reporters of joe biden's great-great-grandfather, who sold bricks in order to finan

but the main players democratic unionists in the d u. p. and nationalists in shin fane have been at odds. right now the seat of devolve government at stormont is defunct, after the d u. p walked out in a dispute about e u. trade laws and breaks it. alan mcbride is among those accusing politicians of letting their people down in 1993 and i are a bowman belfast shinkel road, killed 9 people. his wife sharon was one of them. we have a relative piece here in this country that we don't have reconciliation. we still have found that the pay at each other's throats. it's very simple. i believe that we need more kindness and our politics. i think for far too long, bush unfeeling and the d. p. have only ever really cared about. what matters to them? the big question is still this. how can republicans and unionists somehow accept their respective traditions that cultures their identity when they're synonymous with such a violent history? on tuesday, the u. s. president joe biden will be visiting northern ireland. he's known to be concerned about the e

but some unionists remained highly sceptical that violent paramilitaries would give up their weapons. going to be in an executive with people, there's no threat of armed resistance, or, you know, leverage hanging over us. the prime ministers continue their marathon effort - the talks had reached the moment of truth. ifeel the hand of history upon our shoulder. the two governments and the political parties of northern ireland have reached agreement. when i went out to brief the media, ijust felt i i was going to start crying. partly exhaustion, | because we'd been going days without that much sleep, i but just a sort of sense i of ..god, this looks like it's actually happening. good evening. after 30 years of conflict, after thousands of violent deaths, northern ireland was given the chance of a new beginning. the agreement was hailed around the world. northern ireland today has the promise of a spring time of peace. but 25 years on, the question of whether to be part of the uk or ireland is still unresolved and there's no functioning government. the political battle between the two vi