Sacrificing Our TODAY for the World's TOMORROW
FATA is "Federally Administered Tribal Area" of Pakistan; consisting of 7 Agencies and 6 F.Rs; with a 27000 Sq Km area and 4.5 m population.
MYTH: FATA is the HUB of militancy, terrorism and unrest in Afghanistan.
REALITY: FATA is the worst "VICTIM of Militancy”. Thousands of Civilians dead & injured; Hundreds of Schools destroyed; Thousands of homes raised to ground; 40% population displaced from homes.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Ireland: Queen Elizabeth seeks reconciliation on 4-day Irish tour (Associated Press, 18 May 2011)

Courtesy: "Associated Press (AP)", 18 May 2011
Queen seeks reconciliation on 4-day Irish tour

DUBLIN (AP) -- Queen Elizabeth II's journey of reconciliation was taking her Wednesday to the site of a notorious massacre where British troops killed 14 Irish civilians in 1920.
The queen's visit to Croke Park on the second day of her historic trip to the Republic of Ireland highlights the vast improvement in Anglo-Irish relations since those dark days. It brings the English monarch to a large stadium that is a revered spot for Irish nationalists who mourn those who died there during the conflict with Britain.
She and husband Prince Philip began the day with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, one of Ireland's most popular sites, and also saw the famous Gravity Bar, which offers a panoramic view of Dublin.
Master brewer Fergal Murray expertly prepared a pint of Guinness for the queen in the Gravity Bar, but she declined after smiling broadly. Prince Philip gazed at the brew with obvious longing but also walked away without a taste.

Earlier, he had joked with Murray, "Is it made with Liffey water?" referring to the nearby river.
The Guinness tour struck a light note on an otherwise serious visit. The queen, in an ivory outfit with oversize blue buttons that matched her hat, went directly from the Guinness building for a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.
Later Wednesday, she will make her only public speech of the four-day visit during a state dinner hosted by Irish President Mary McAleese, who invited the queen to visit Ireland.
Many will scrutinize her speech to see if it contains an apology or expresses contrition about British actions in Ireland.
The queen and McAleese also laid wreaths at the Irish National War Memorial Garden on Wednesday, much as they did the day before at the Garden of Remembrance honoring Irish rebels who fought against British rule.
The war memorial garden on the south bank of the River Liffey is dedicated to the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in World War I. The queen also viewed an illustrated manuscript listing all of the victims.
The World War I memorial garden was chosen as a way to emphasize the shared history of Ireland and Britain.
The queen is receiving high marks from the Irish press for her dignified conduct during her long-anticipated visit. Many also approved of her arrival outfit, which emphasized emerald green.
The Irish Daily Mail noted the widespread respect for the queen's decision to honor Ireland's rebels on her first day in Dublin by laying a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance.
"With one momentary bow of the head, Queen Elizabeth II banished centuries of mistrust yesterday in a historic first visit to the Republic of Ireland by a reigning British monarch," wrote journalist Senan Molony.
Despite the friendly welcome, the queen is still being protected by an exceptionally large security contingent of more than 8,500 police backed by troops. Some arrests were made overnight, and much of downtown Dublin was closed to motorists and pedestrians Wednesday morning.
There were several scuffles and protests Tuesday after the queen's arrival. Dissident groups have said further disruptions are possible.
On Thursday, the queen plans to visit the Irish National Stud to indulge her love of horses. She also hosts a gala dinner for Irish dignitaries Thursday evening before traveling to Cork on Friday.


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