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These men are revolutionaries for Northern Ireland and criminals for the rest of the world. People just don't give up their livelihood, hopes and aspirations for nothing. These are people who have dedicated their lives to their homeland and are prepared to die for it much as the English people were prepared to do in the Battle of Britain. They should be treated well and as men and not as lunatics or fanatics.
Nishant Berlia, India

Any effort given to communication towards peace should be commended. I wish our political leaders could do the same, here in the States and in Ireland.
Connie, USA

I feel that Mo Mowlam's efforts, including her unprecedented visits to the Maze are to be highly recommended. We pray that her efforts and all those who long for peace, will soon bring real results. We will never give up hoping and praying for peace in all of Ireland.
Martin Johnson, USA

The blockheads in Northern Ireland don't seem to understand that the only way to stop a war is to sit down and talk to your enemies - even if they come to the table carrying all their weapons.
The problems survive from our own medieval empire-building days. We English should get out of Ireland NOW!
Ronald Atkin, England

The worrying point about Dr Mowlam's visit to the Maze is that the "Peace Process" by now has no clear objective but its own self-perpetuation. All events in the province are assessed with reference to the benchmark of how it will affect that process.
The wisest comments on the round of talks and negotiations over the last four years have always come from the former Irish cabinet minister Conor Cruise O'Brien, who averred that talking to terrorists could not work, apart from the ethical considerations against them, because the groups aim for strictly incompatible ends.
The task for the British government must be to treat the issue as a security problem, not a political one; there are no political concessions that a liberal democracy may make to terrorist groups without betraying its essential character.
Oliver Kamm, UK

Yes, it will make a difference in the long-run because it is no doubt that she has been making concessions to them. Which ones are they? Early release probably, as well as an improvement of their detention conditions. Officially, after the meeting with the loyalist prisoners, she did state that progress had to be made on the POW issue...
Ann Maguire, Belfast, Ireland

I frankly think that she has given concessions to the loyalist inmates (ie early release...). I don't see how else she could have bagged their support.
Her move was courageous. Necessary. And proves that times have changed in an encouraging way...
Ann Maguire, Ireland

Tne next time Mr Adair and Mr Stone sit down in their nice, comfortable cell, they should think about the price paid for such privilege before going on about non-esistent concessions to republicans.
Neil Burns, Ireland

Her visits to the terrorists are an insult to the people murdered in the Province.
David Inman, UK

What a brave step! Someone had to talk to these people. Whether we like it or not they hold the key to compromise and now the public realises this.
Rob Franks, UK

I think talking to the prisoners was a last resort. But only time will tell as to whether it will adversely effect the talks process.

I'm up for neither side. But I'd be happy if not surprised to see some sort of accomodation for both Nationalist and Unionist representives so that some sense of reality can be injected into life in Northern Ireland.
Jonathan Bruce, Dublin, Ireland

Oh yes! Many years of slaughter on both sides will definitely not make a difference. In order to enhance life, we must take risks.Ms Mowlam has the guts to go beyond the politics and beat a path to a brighter future for Ireland. Cheers... keep on trying!
Hensley Alexander, Canada

The decision to treat terrorists as ordinary criminals was bound to cause trouble when peace negotiations got under way.
Dr William Trevelyan, UK

If a peaceful settlement is to be arrived at then certain compromises have to be made - Mo Mowlam was right to take the plunge and go to the Maze. If only the extreme absolutist views are embraced then we will never reach any middle ground on which to build a settlement!
Katie Musson, Scotland

Once again we have our politicians running to the people of violence to pamper their every whim. Will the government ask the advice of those imprisoned for drink driving offences before they contemplate lowering the legal limit? Of course not! The government will GOVERN as elected to do so. There are elected representatives available for involvement in discussion/negotiations. They are the ones who Dr. Mowlam should talk to.
If she needs more help why not ask the innocent who have suffered for so long in this divided land? For every terrorist there are hundreds of 'ordinary' people who have got on with their daily lives and worked to keep a semblence of normality and build a future for their children.
Trevor Anderson, N.Ireland

It is funny, The British who pride themselves on Democracy and Human Rights can't give the Catholics their country
Z. Mohammed, Sudan

To me, Mo Mowlam doesn't have a waining political reputation. Since coming to office, she has shown more courage, determination and imagination than any of her predecessors in trying to oversee a solution to Northern Ireland's troubles.
I have a great deal of confidence and respect for her, and believe that she may be the most important element in the peace process.
Andi-Tsuyoshi Williams, Japan

As far as I was aware, criminals have no right to vote, so how can they have any say in the running of the country. Anyone who is a convicted murderer is a criminal not a soldier - what about the Oklahomka bomber and Unabomber, I suppose they are different. I don't agree with the British army being in Northern Ireland, but we should not leave the people of of Northern Ireland to massacre each other.
Maureen Bensa, UK

If it can do any good at all then she must give it a go. It may be a disaster but so would doing nothing. At least she has the courage of her convictions in trying to turn the situation around.
Michael Duncan, UK

I do not think it will make any difference long term and I believe it is wrong to waste time hearing the views of these criminals
Henrik, United Kingdom

Of course, it is much too early to tell if a substantive difference has been made by Dr Mowlam's visit at least to the mindset of the Loyalist prisoners held in the Maze.
The early reports suggest the meeting was a success. That is a good and hopeful sign considering that there has been such bleak news and events in the last few weeks.
Again, Dr Mowlam has shown that she will meet people half way to effect change in Northern Ireland. I certainly hope this visit makes some difference in the attitudes of even the most doctrinaire in the Loyalist community. It is a start at least.
Brian Delaney, USA

Nelson Mandela and other imprisoned members of the ANC were regarded by the South African Government very much in the same way. Ultimately though the South African government were left with no choice but to accept that peace in South Africa would not be achievable without the involvement of the Africa National Congress prisoners. The only difference is that they were released from prison PRIOR to any discussions taking place, Perhaps we should be thankful that these prisoners are not insisting on the same thing.
Kelvin Morton, England

If the UK government talks to the governments of Israel, Palestine or South Africa they are talking to people who have all used violence to achieve their political aims. Are terrorists only terrorists while their aims are still unachieved ? It should be realised that many situations worldwide would never have been resolved without someone breaking the stalemate and taking risks. This is what Mo Mowlam has done and she should be applauded or her courage and foresight.
Wyn Jones, Wales

British governments appear to have been talking to terrorists since 1974 at least (covertly, that is; they made no secret of negotiating with terrorists in the Twenties).
Many sources claim that the late Prime Minister Harold Wilson (Labour) met IRA leaders face to face secretly in Dublin and even offered to withdraw the Army and renounce British sovereignty in Northern Ireland by 1975!
I'm afraid there aren't that many politicians we can trust not to talk to terrorists, whatever their rhetorical stance. Use of the bullet rather than the ballot seems to work on any government, as evidenced by the fact that noone (certainly not the media) rose in uproar when the large and important Democratic Unionist Party shunned the present talks, yet the world was transfixed and worried as soon as the tiny DUP and UDP (which have no political identity other than a "mandate" to speak on behalf of terrorist groups) started to threaten a walkout.
The only explanation for this is that the DUP and its supporters were obviously not going to start bombing and shooting people, so it was reckoned not worth pleading with them quite so vigorously to be involved in the talks.
Alex Thomson, United Kingdom

I think that if there is even a remote possibility of extending (or ensuring) peace in NI then it must a good thing.
Mowlam came under much criticism, however I think she was right to visit the maze and it will benefit the peace process.
John Robinson, England

It's very easy to sit on moral high ground Britain and preach that convicted criminals shouldn't be consulted in the Northern Ireland peace process. The facts of the matter are that the prisoners inside the Maze hold a great deal of influence with others outside the Maze walls. Mo Mowlam has to take account of the facts - and she is doing so.
H Gibson, Scotland

Mo Mowlam has, I think, the best interests of Northern Ireland at heart but she is displaying that naivete which has been something of a hallmark of this Administration.
John Lowery, Britain

"Jaw, jaw, jaw is better than war, war, war", Nye Bevan
Tom Carter, Canada

Her sincerity is beyond doubt, in her desire to achieve lasting peace with justice in Northern Ireland. God bless her.
Gearoid Haicead, Australia

They will still be convicted terrorists after she has gone but they may have more respect for the need for a settlement through talking. Mo Mowlam deserves our admiration.
Mick Ruddy, Middlesbrough

I am far from being narrow-minded about any thoughts concerning politics, "morals", etc., but personal responsibility is the final and the bottom line of it all.
Barbara Porter, USA

Mo Mowlam talking to inmates in the Maze is equivalent to Bill Clinton discussing Gun Control with Timothy McVeigh! These people are Terrorist Criminals, the sort Mowlam is supposed to try and deter. She is clearly not up to that job and should make way for someone who is.
Kevin Foster, United Kingdom

If speaking with the prisoners helps keep all parties involved in the talks then it certainly will have been well worth the effort and criticism.
S.A. Pletcher, USA

It is quite obvious that the Americans (even after Oklahoma) have yet to learn that domestic terrorism is carried out by thugs and not freedom fighters.
anonymous, England

Before we (UK citizens) talk about morals, why shouldn't we try bringing peace to our land before criticising others elsewhere? If needs must, I back Mo Mowlam decision. If she can win over these loyalist terrorists perhaps they could pursued others to further go down the road to peace.
Richard Bemrose, UK

I think she has been played for a fool by the leaders of the political wings of both loyalist and republican organisations. Both sides talk of peace but neither side wants peace, if they did then disarmament would've happened. The ordinary man wants peace but not at any price!
Paul, N.Ireland

There is not sane alternative to dialogue. Mo Mowlam is doing a great job at trying to create some space to keep everyone on board - we have had too many years of entrenched positions from everyone involved.
Tom Kierans, Brazil

Mo Mowlam is by far the best N.Ireland secretary we have had in a long time. She should be congratulated for her commitment and determination in trying to move the peace process forward. Whatever that takes.
Laurie Robinson, England

Of all the difficult briefs in the British Government or any government, one of the most difficult has to be Mo Mowlam's particular responsibility. She has shown remarkable political skill and courage in her first seven months in the post as Secretary of State and her going to the Maze prison (to the contrary of appearing weak or as an act of desperation) rather gives me the impression that she will meet people half way to achieve the goal of peace in an area of the world where intransigence has ruled for decades. Cheers to Dr Mowlam!!
Brian Delaney, UK

Mo Mowlm is demonstrating courage and more particularly originality. For far too long beaurocratic "stuffiness" has been the basis of negotiation in Northern Ireland.
Any initiative which may prevent a collapse of talks which are the best opportunity for peace must be worth taking & Mo Mowlam deserves every encouragement for her efforts. Good luck to her.
David Beattie, UK

Mo Mowlam is a courageous woman. Talking is better than terrorism.
Hubert Fernbank, England

Firsty, I feel it needs to be said that the majority of the Maze prisoners would not be incarcerated if not for the Troubles. These men are not criminals, and whether we choose to agree with their tactics or believe as they do, they should not be treated as such. They are soldiers. Of course they should be included in the process. To be blunt, their opinions weigh too heavily within their own communites to be disregarded, despite their convict status.
Matthew Nord, USA

Matthew Nord from USA, says "they are not criminals they are soldiers." Well, Matthew you've obviously been sucked in by the usual IRA propaganda which attempts to portray killers of unarmed women,children and others, as well as cowardly bombing and sniper attacks on police and army, as justified.
The majority of people in Ulster want to remain British, the minority don't. yet this minority continue to work for British companies, or collect British social security payments. Why can't those who want to be Irish move south of the border to live and let the those who want to remain British stay in Ulster. Surely that would go a long way to settling the problems.
If these terrorists are "soldiers" why do they always carry out cowardly terrorist attacks. Does IRA stand for I RAN AWAY? Why can't you try and see both sides of the story Matthew?
Vic Roby, Australia

Unfortunately ,although these men are murdering terrorists, judging by history, one has to include their views or they very definitely do have the ability to wreck the peace process. The other question though ,is, do some of them want peace?
I do hope youve not allowed some of the pathetic hollywood portrayals of IRA 'heroes', Matthew, to influence you- Mickey Rourke as a 'nice' IRA man (eugh).The real terrorists are murdering scum, quite happy to kill innocents and bystanders - they're not Brad Pitt.
Steve Switzer, England

About time a British minister has actually bothered to speak to the real decision makers directly. Ms Mowlan must be congratulated on her brave, progressive, initiatives.
N Costigan, Sweden

Northern Ireland needs change, politicians and prisoners with set views cannot give us that. If democracy does not work in Northern Ireland, I don't know what will.
Raymond Johnston BSc., from N.Ireland now living in Scotland

Mo Mowlam is a courageous woman who wants a peaceful solution for Northern Ireland. She should be saluted for going the extra mile.
Michael Phelan, UK

Surely we have not yet reached the point where talking to prisoners is to high a price in trying to acheive a lasting peace. What is the real goal: Peace or not?
Cormac McGettigan, UK

It makes my blood boil to see so called respected politicians running to talk to convicted murderers and bombers. How can anyone treat criminals as if they are special when they have been convicted for the simple reason that they stepped outside of the democratic process accepted by the vast majority on both sides.
M Brimacombe Devon, UK

These terrorists should not be consulted on a democratic process on which they have turned their backs. Normal convicted criminals do not have a right to vote. Why should these creatures deserve any better?
Simon Bradley, UK

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