Opposing loyalties

✒ IRELAND was oppressively ruled from London for about 800 years, but the injustice was recognised in 1922, with violence, and the nation of Eire was formed.

That left Northern Ireland as a ‘province,’ exactly like Ukraine today, where the majority of the population are satisfied, while a minority resent the power which governs them, and hope that the balance of power will change in the near future, and they will be free of British rule.

There was a belief in the East Ukraine minority in 2014, who strongly value links with Russia, that a putsch had taken place in Kiev, replacing the previously acceptable Government by that majority choice, a pro-Western Government which hoped to progress to EU membership and joining NATO. This led to civil war with the death of thousands, but miraculously, the conflict ceased, while the hatred remains.

The opposing loyalties of these different groups is a reality which cannot be solved by warfare, threats of war, the introduction of foreign armaments and troops, or damaging economic sanctions which can only make the political bitterness more extreme.

There are two possibilities for Ukraine, a civilised working recognition of their differences in Devolution, as in the United Kingdom, or Separation of two Provinces, as in Ireland.

The British Government expects the world to respect the opinion ballots which they held in Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, but pours contempt on similar ballots in Crimea and two Provinces of Ukraine.

The USA is a wholly prejudiced world power, fostering hatred across the globe, and our Parliament a destructive force, seeking to drag China into this of war.

C N Westerman

by email