Nothing much is changed, students say, and a chance has been wasted

"THE ceasefire changed things in small, trivial ways. It meant I wasn't afraid to wear a Republic of Ireland (soccer) cap I got," says Michael, a 17 year old student at Hazelwood integrated college in Belfast.

"Before the ceasefire I had political beliefs that I wouldn't talk to anybody about. Now I can say I'm a nationalist." Other than that he says, life has not really changed for him.

His fellow students in upper sixth at the 10 year old integrated school feel much the same. Aged 17 and 18, seven of them have taken time out from their history class to talk about the impact of the ceasefire and its ending. All the students are from the Glengormley/north Belfast area.

To encapsulate their views They don't think the ceasefire has changed anything much. There is no great increase in trust between the two sides and they don't see it happening ever, although one student, Finbarr, explains that building trust takes at least an entire generation.

None of them will vote when they get the franchise because they think the politicians are useless and the political choice is either nationalist or unionist. Apathy in ones so young?

"No," says Oisin. "People are moving away from the old political traditions. They don't want to have just those two choices. That's progress."

For Ciara, another Hazelwood student, "Nothing's changed." Even after 17 months of the ceasefire, "as a Catholic I still can't walk down the Shankill road without fear."

David echoes her view. "Areas you didn't go to before the cease fire, you still don't go to. A chance has been wasted. No matter whose fault it is and you can blame anyone nothing was done and now we'll never have peace.

Gemma was at a friend's house getting ready to go out last Friday when they heard about the Canary Wharf bombing. "We decided to talk about it before we went out but not when we got into town. That was because their group of friends was "mixed" and it is easier and safer not to discuss political issues.

All were shocked by the ending of the ceasefire. They still are, but because it happened in Britain and not Northern Ireland they talk about the ceasefire in the present tense.

"It doesn't really affect us because it happened over there," says Karen. "We were shocked but didn't really think about it. The violence is ingrained, so it's not really a surprise, but when it starts here again all the old restrictions will be back in place."

Restrictions like not being allowed out late, of worrying about who they're talking to.

"It's a sad reflection that because it happened in London and not here it hasn't really affected us," says Michael. As to solutions, both David and Michael doubt that an accommodation can be reached. A united Ireland is impossible for loyalists, and republicans won't give up that aim, they agree. "It's a question of allowing a nationalist aspiration," says Michael.

If they had ultimate power what would they do? "Flatten the place," quips Oisin. Finbarr mutters "Put a sign up saying out to lunch."