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Issue No.17 Summer 2004 Overview
In this issue of The Other View
we cover the up-coming 10th anniversary of the ceasefires that brought
about a qualitative change in the political climate on this island. Many
of the hopes and aspirations that existed then have not been completely
fulfilled. Most significantly - political agreement is conspicuously absent.
30 years after the collapse of the original power-sharing executive, Northern
Ireland seems no nearer having an agreed form of administration. Nevertheless, the absence of
sustained physical conflict has undoubtedly saved many lives and has allowed
for a developing sense of normality in what was previously seen as one
of the world’s trouble zones. What has not emerged in this
period of relative calm, however, is a sustained and concerted campaign
to examine and address underlying social and economic deprivation. Old
alliances have proven difficult to break down and in time this may come
to be viewed as one of the great missed opportunities of the recent past.
We attempt to provide an overview of all these issues in this edition
of The Other View. As always we do not claim to have all or even any of
the answers but we still maintain that airing opinion is an essential
first step towards addressing any issue. Elsewhere in this issue we cover
questions relating to health and fitness and are particularly pleased
to have an article from the eminent medical practitioner, Dr T. Subramaniam
(Siva)- RVH Belfast, examining the very distressing issue of premature
death among healthy young athletes. Finally, The Other View is aware
that summer can often be a fraught time in Northern Ireland. Fortunately
last year was mercifully peaceful and many grass-roots activists deserve
credit for their efforts in promoting good sense. There are reports at
present that all is not well in this area and that many of the community
activists feel that their efforts have not been properly supported. Hopefully
this situation can be resolved and that we enjoy another peaceful summer
on this island.
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