Eamon Devlin

And again another body that is supposed to be helping all of us touched by the "troubles/war" fails to find us that no longer live in NI. I'm disappointed, we are not hard to find. Now I fear that it may be too late to tell my story.
Submission Date: 29/05/2008

evil democrat

Once again you let the terrorists off the hook and put the blame for years of attacks and bombings on the security forces and those of us who were evil enough to go about their lives in a peaceful way. - See tomorrow's headlines!!!!!!! Your group seems to think that the terrorists were right to kill and bomb and wreck our lives for 30 years. That we got what we deserved for just wanting to live in peace and were evil enough to go to the polls and stand up for decency. We should all reflect on our contribution to the Troubles, you say, and share the blame so terrorists can live with themselves - it was everybody's fault that they ruthlessly turned to violence, especially those who stood up to them armed only with democracy. No calls for the terrorists to come clean, no headline grabbing calls on the terrorists to admit they were wrong to kill and maim thousands. Shame on you. I think it was before the vote on the Good Friday Agreement that a leaked memo from the NIO suggested that Lord Eames be wheeled out as a 'useful fool' to back the line needed by our masters in Westminster and Dublin. The leak prevented that happening then, but they seemed to have saved him for this event. I am feed up with the whitewashing of terrorists action by spreading the blame over everyone to the extent that they become the heroes and victims, while ordinary citizens and members of the security forces are painted as the villians. Maybe your final report should include a table of the numbers of people who were killed and seriously injured by the various groups - and include a column for those the 'evil voters' were responsible for. A good idea to unveil your conclusions before an invited audience
Submission Date: 29/05/2008

Robert Williams ( Toronto, Canada)

The rebuilding of NI society into a normal, peaceful democracy will take much time to achieve. Mercy and justice is not an easy combination to balance after so much pain and hardship. I cannot imagine the pain and loss that has been suffered on both sides of the divide. Another country attempted this similar exercise - the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. Both the oppressed and the oppressor met face to face and sought a way to deal with the pain of the past. In both the Nationalist and Unionist both have victims and perpetrators. Sharing such pain in open dialogue may prove to be a positive and first step towards healing. Once an understanding of one anothers victimization becomes shared and understood, perpetrators on both sides can be judged fairly and truthfully. As a Canadian and one who desires peace I wish this consultative group well. I look forward to the day when all the people of Northern Ireland can experience peace, prosperity and good government. This is my prayer and wish for all of you.
Submission Date: 18/03/2008

Cllr. Gareth Wilson

In the world of advertising making a controversial statement is one method of ensuring audience attention. The Group has certainly provoked reaction and ensured attention with their 'soundings' on an amnesty for terrorists. Over 2000 written submissions have been received in opposition to such a ‘view’ so I should imagine that it will be firmly off the radar – if indeed they are what their title suggests a ‘consultative’ group on the past. You (CGP) have consulted and we have given our views.
Submission Date: 07/03/2008

Hurt, Lurgan

The mere suggestion that the last 35 years should be called a war is an insult to me personally and confirmation that even those supposedly chosen to find the "middle ground" to satisfy everyone will, after due deliberation, agree to legitimise the criminals who have so successfully beaten the Blairs of this politically corrupt country. How can our leaders - you and the politicians who chose you to do their bidding - hold their heads high when they give in to the law breakers every time. The security forces had the IRA all but beaten, basically they were fed up and tired of the constant lies to their followers. Never-the-less they conned the government into the Good Friday Agreement, cut short and hurriedly finished up early because Mr Mitchell was rushing home to see the birth of his latest child. He said then he was leaving whether they had finished or not and got an honorary doctorate for it. As a taxpayer who worked with all in a sensitive area well known for the many incidents which occurred in close proximity I prefer to call myself a sort of victim. My parents were burned out of their business, I have been kidnapped, I have had two close friends shot dead and three others shot and my homes and offices have suffered damage from bullets and bombs on 5 seperate occasions. I am aware that none of the perpetrators were ever caught and regret that those who were caught for other crimes were forgiven by this weak state. As a realist I know most will die with a smile knowing they beat the state they so hated and bled for their personal gain, and that in the end they won and got all they so misguidedly fought for. My only hope for those who transgressed against me and my family is that they spend the rest of their life looking over their shoulder for their eventual cum-uppance, just like the Nazi criminals who at least had the courage to wear a uniform. Do not, I plead, give them the satisfaction they so wrongly demand. They deserve nothing more than our joint contempt as cowardly criminals who were quite aware of the wrong they did and revelled in it. To recognise their effort as in any way legitimate would be a crime as great as any perpetrated in their individual sickening causes.
Submission Date: 04/03/2008

J

Why is a war considered more noble than terrorism? A thug is a thug, be he dressed in a balaclava or in the Queen's uniform. Many states sponsor terrorism...just look at Britain's human rights record in Ireland.
Submission Date: 26/02/2008

realist omagh

If we declared the thirty years that have passed as a war this may give the vistiams a chance to take cases to the eu court ubder the geneva convention Most off those killed were civillians as most off the victiams say they know who killed ,murdered their loved ones then it gives the opportunity to bring the perputrators to court
Submission Date: 26/02/2008

Innocent Victims

To describe it as a war would not just be wrong it would be an insult to the innocent victims murdered and their surviving families. Not only would it justify the criminals who took up arms but it makes a mockery of those people who chose not to fight and makes them out to be cowards. The atrocities that were carried out by all sides in the name of any so called cause were quite simply crimes against the human race. That known murderers freely walk our streets and expect rehabilitation monies to lead them away from a life of crime is a joke. They should be jailed and expect to do time for their crimes. Murder is Murder and non justifiable. As Dostoyevsky stated “The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.” Well our prisons are seemingly empty since the Good Friday Agreement, and we would do well to look at what is happening to our society. Not only did these criminals have the equivalent of a holiday camp when they were there, but now that they are free they still think that we owe them something. As a taxpayer without a criminal record, who lost family during the era, yet lived with the fear of these animals making them their next victim it's enough to make you sick. I paid for my education, and still am, I haven't had any handouts and don't expect any, why should we be held ransom by these thugs, when they are not prepared to take the harder road and be a decent human being. No matter what that particular period of our history is labelled as, it will be hard to swallow for many but mainly the victims as there is no reparation that can replace a loved one. As a result we are left with a minefield of dialogue paying lip service to those who are trying to explain their wrongful actions. This is a debate which may need more time to heal the wounds felt by those like myself who did not participate but were forced by bloodied hands to endure and get on with trying to live a normal life. In closing, I don’t feel it can be given some formal title to file it away in the history books as it feels like the memory is too raw for it to be expressed in catch-all terms that suit the victors who appear to still be reaping the spoils from the blood of their innocent victims. Once we the peaceful citizens of this country can claim Northern Ireland as our own independent state and have freedom from the tyranny of palm greasing thugs then we may be ready to label the era that stole our childhood. From a survivor and innocent victim, I say to those people who cling to these backward ways, be prepared to look beyond the differences.
Submission Date: 20/02/2008

Críostóir Ó Siadhail, Béal Feirste

Whatever adjective is used to describe the 1969-1998 period, someone is going to gain. 'War' is to the benefit of Sinn Féin, and simply labelling it criminal activity is a plus for the DUP. Both sides done wrong, and I am referring to the British Government, the SAS, the British Army and the RUC collectively as a side here. It cannot be said that they acted with the upmost dignity, nor did Óglaigh na hÉireann. Why cannot the term 'conflict' be used? It has the implications people chose to read into it, but 'war' is clearly unacceptable to Unionists, and 'criminal activity' merely tries to cover up the State's wrongdoings...
Submission Date: 18/02/2008

Gordon Bell

Sinn Fein/IRA and fellow republicans calling for an amnesty for terrorists and the 'Trouble' to be retermed a war only give credibility to those so in humane in society who have carried out so of the most dastardly crimes known to man. If this socalled Consultative Group suggests the the term War be used then Sinn Fein/IRA leader and fellow criminals should be tried for WAR CRIMES at the HAGUE. How does bombing a fish shop on the Shankill Road killing innocent shoppers, lining workes outside their van at Kingmill and being shot individually, strapping a bomb to you ordering you to drive into the local barracks for it to explode, or helping a dying soldier in west Belfast only be be upducted and never to be seen by your family again.................... was that a WAR or the action of depraved criminals. Please do not give any credibility to those murderers. Widows, widowers, orphans, and many with broken hearts still walk these streets.
Submission Date: 25/01/2008