Rival N. Irish factions enter power-sharing era

Blair, who is widely expected to announce his resignation from office later this week, said Ireland had suffered “centuries pockmarked by conflict, hardship and hatred.” He said Belfast power-sharing offered the chance “at last to escape those heavy chains of history.”

Blair and Ahern paid fulsome tribute to the leadership of Paisley and Sinn Fein — but particularly to each other.

“Bertie has always been there, willing to surmount another obstacle. ... Bertie, thank you,” he said to Ahern, who is facing a tough May 24 election to remain in power.

'True friend of Ireland'
Ahern said peace in Northern Ireland could not have been established without Blair’s hands-on involvement in coaxing the two sides together. He called Blair “a true friend of Ireland” and praised him for “the true determination that he had, for just sticking with it, for 10 tough years.”

The two premiers, Paisley and McGuinness then posed for photographs in the sunshine on a side staircase of Stormont. There were happy handshakes all around — except, in a dramatic illustration of their remaining distrust and discomfort, between Paisley and McGuinness, who avoided direct eye contact.

Earlier, McGuinness and Paisley sat down in separate armchairs at a small living room-style table in Paisley’s grand new ministerial office, while Blair and Ahern shared a crowded sofa with Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain.

A live television feed beamed the first few, largely awkward minutes of their conversation, which was dominated by Paisley. McGuinness did not manage an audible peep.

Paisley, referring to Blair’s imminent departure from Downing Street, noted to laughter all around: “As you’re going out as a young man, I’m coming in as a granddad!”

Blair spoke, but largely as the straight man to Paisley’s quips. When Blair noted how friendly Northern Ireland people were as individuals, so at odds with their bitter politics, Paisley shot back: “I wonder why people hate me, because I’m such a nice man!”

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