Page 8 - aruba-today-20181117

A8 WORLD NEWS
Saturday 17 November 2018
Near Irish border, the Brexit drama is followed with alarm

By RENATA BRITO munities remain divided
Associated Press decades after 30 years of
NEWRY, Northern Ireland conflict claimed around
(AP) — Families and busi- 3,700 lives. The peace
ness owners near the Irish agreement signed in 1998
border that separates the provides people with the
U.K. from the rest of the EU freedom to identify as Irish
are watching in apprehen- or British, or both. Having a
sion as political chaos in border could rekindle iden-
London threatens to torpe- tity politics and, potentially,
do a Brexit deal that aims violence.
to avoid a return of cus- May’s deal involves a com-
toms checks and possible mon customs arrangement
sectarian violence to the for the U.K. and the EU,
region. eliminating the need for
The border between the border checks, with some
United Kingdom’s North- provisions that are specific
ern Ireland the European to Northern Ireland. Pro-
Union’s Republic of Ire- Brexiteers say that would
land is currently unpoliced leave the U.K. too close to
and invisible thanks to an the EU, taking its rules for
EU rule that allows people years, and some are trying
and goods to travel freely. to get rid of May — as well
The main difficulty in the as her deal, which is due to
Brexit talks has been how be voted on in Parliament.
to not disturb that liberty, A Money exchange sign is seen on a bridge with an old disused customs post on the Irish border Economically, this region
which has helped to ensure between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic close to the town of Newry, Northern Ireland, has a lot to lose from a re-
peace since 1998. Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. turn of tariffs and customs
The big fear in this region is Associated Press checks.
that Prime Minister Theresa “I’d be horrified - absolutely Just across the invisible bor- Patterson, the CEO of an In the days of hard borders,
May’s Brexit plan, which horrified - if there was some der, which is now physically agency that promotes trade between the north
aims to safeguard an open sort of border,” said Jim represented by nothing economic growth in North- and south was a fraction of
border, will fall apart and Deary, who lives in nearby more than a placid river, ern Irish border regions of what it is today. It took truck
the U.K. will leave the EU Dundalk in the Republic of the sentiment is much the Newry and Mourne. “This is drivers hours to get cleared
with no deal on future rela- Ireland and, at the age of same. not a theoretical risk, these and across the other side.
tions. Overnight, that could 95, can recall the violence “Britain is facing, and North- are real risks.” On average, commercial
bring back customs checks that plagued the region for ern Ireland is facing, ab- In Northern Ireland, Catho- vehicles cross the border
and police watch-points. decades. solute chaos,” says Conor lic and Protestant com- 13,000 times each day.q

Protests to greet Dutch Santa and his black-faced sidekick

By MIKE CORDER nent group, Kick Out Black es of soot from going up
Associated Press Pete, said on its Facebook and down chimneys to de-
THE HAGUE, Netherlands page that it is organizing liver gifts.
(AP) — As Dutch children weekend demonstrations “The more often a Pete has
anticipate the arrival of in 18 Dutch municipalities, been through a chimney,
their country’s version of but not in Zaandijk. the more soot he or she has
Santa Claus this weekend, The far-right Netherlands on their face,” NTR said in a
critics and fans of his help- People’s Union is one of the statement earlier this year.
er, Black Pete, are gearing groups planning to dem- Anti-Pete protesters took
up for protests that have onstrate in support of the their arguments to court this
become another fixture of Christmas character. week, arguing the charac-
the festive season in the Dutch Prime Minister Mark ter was racist and discrimi-
Netherlands. Rutte entered the debate natory. Afro-style wigs are
White people often daub Friday, calling on all pro- part of some costumes as
their faces with black paint testers not to spoil the fes- well as blackface makeup,
when they dress up to play In this Saturday Nov. 16, 2013, file photo, people dressed as tivities for children. though fewer than in past
the character. Opponents “Zwarte Piet” or “Black Pete”, wave to spectators as they “I think society agrees on years. But a judge refused
say the annual recreations arrive with the Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus, by one thing: we grant chil- the request to keep Black
of Black Pete promote rac- steamboat in Hoorn, north-western Netherlands. dren the magic of the Sin- Pete out of the parade.
ist stereotypes. Supporters Associated Press terklaas party,” Rutte said “Black Pete is undoubtedly
defend the sidekick of Sin- of Amsterdam. Sinterklaas groups, two in favor and at his weekly press con- changing,” judge Antoon
terklaas, the white-beard- and his helpers are set two against Black Pete, ference. NTR, the public Schotman said. “Some
ed, red-robed Dutch ver- to arrive on a boat and have said they plan dem- broadcaster responsible think that the process is
sion of St. Nicholas, as a then tour the village. One onstrations. for the televised event, said moving too slowly and
traditional children’s char- group unsuccessfully tried The municipality has as- the Black Petes in this year’s that’s fine. Others believe
acter. in court to keep Pete from signed specific areas for the parade will have faces the process is moving too
A nationally televised ar- the party. Geralt Lammers, protests to avoid possible made up in various shades. quickly. There is no objec-
rival parade takes place a spokesman for Zaan- confrontations between In recent years, the color tive way of measuring it.
Saturday in the picturesque dam municipality, which the pro- and anti-Pete of the character’s face has What is important is that the
village of Zaandijk, north includes Zaandijk, said four camps. The most promi- been attributed to smudg- conversation continues.”q