The focus is on whether Great Britain can or should give up sovereignty to Northern Ireland, the institutional nature of violence in Ireland, peace negotiations and the establishment of a cease-fire to end the conflict, and obstacles to peace. Public and political attitudes toward violence and the need to satisfactorily resolve the conflict are considered, as well as the religious nature of the conflict and capabilities and intentions of the IRA. Consideration is also paid to positive aspects of British concessions to Irish interests, nationalism, and social and economic development and to prospects for resolving political dimensions of the conflict. 2 notes