peaccenicked
19th December 2003, 00:53
http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/232902.htm
This article fairly well expresses the public face of the peace process.
This article below reveals the weakness of the Uionists.
PAISLEY WELCOMES UUP RESIGNATIONS
12/18/03 14:12 EST
Democratic Unionist leader Rev Ian Paisley welcomed the resignations today of Ulster Unionist rebel Jeffrey Donaldson and two other UUP MLA's, saying they dealt a "hammer blow" to the rival UUP.
The North Antrim MP said, "These three MLAs have recognised that their mandate to work for a new and better agreement for Northern Ireland cannot be achieved from within the confines of the UUP. The Trimble-led Ulster Unionists are intent on reviving and resuscitating the old, failed Belfast Agreement, an agreement which almost two out of three unionist voters resoundingly rejected last month."
"It is evident that the leadership of the UUP remains wedded to a process that has done nothing but damage the Union and unionism," said Paisley.
Dr Paisley said unionists were beginning to come together to remedy "the failure and deceit" of Mr Trimble's policies.
"The DUP will work with unionists of a like mind who share the DUP's goals of securing a stable and lasting settlement in our Province," he said.
"We look forward to talking to Jeffrey, Arlene and Norah to find a way in which we can improve the unionist position and best move forward and secure a fair deal for the people of Northern Ireland."
Mr. Donaldson, MP for Lagan Valley, said tonight: "After five years of arguing within the party for a better agreement, I have had to consider how we can best achieve that. Unfortunately I have been excluded by David Trimble from his negotiating team and I was threatened as recently as last Friday with expulsion from the party."
"I have come to the view that the Ulster Unionist Party no longer provides the vehicle for me to use my talents to achieve what I was mandated to work for. The meeting of the party executive last Friday was the final straw."
"I concluded that the party is out of touch with the views of ordinary unionists, the two thirds of the unionist electorate who reject the Agreement."
"I cannot see how the UUP could ever be the majority party in Northern Ireland or provide the leadership that is required, certainly under David Trimble's leadership."
Mr Donaldson, a protege of former UUP leader Lord Molyneaux and former constituency agent for Enoch Powell when he was the MP for South Down, said he had long argued for a strong unionist movement.
The Lagan Valley MP said a realigned unionist movement could "deliver a better agreement" in Northern Ireland commanding the support of both unionists and nationalists.
With Sinn Féin emerging the largest nationalist party, he argued that a stronger unionist voice was also needed.
"We are in a situation where Sinn Féin could at the next Westminster election swallow up the three SDLP seats and they could emerge not just the largest nationalist party but the largest party," he said.
"If unionists want to avoid that nightmare scenario they have to forge a more united movement and that is why I have taken this decision."
It seems to me
No more "Tiocaidh ar La" because our day HAS come.
This article fairly well expresses the public face of the peace process.
This article below reveals the weakness of the Uionists.
PAISLEY WELCOMES UUP RESIGNATIONS
12/18/03 14:12 EST
Democratic Unionist leader Rev Ian Paisley welcomed the resignations today of Ulster Unionist rebel Jeffrey Donaldson and two other UUP MLA's, saying they dealt a "hammer blow" to the rival UUP.
The North Antrim MP said, "These three MLAs have recognised that their mandate to work for a new and better agreement for Northern Ireland cannot be achieved from within the confines of the UUP. The Trimble-led Ulster Unionists are intent on reviving and resuscitating the old, failed Belfast Agreement, an agreement which almost two out of three unionist voters resoundingly rejected last month."
"It is evident that the leadership of the UUP remains wedded to a process that has done nothing but damage the Union and unionism," said Paisley.
Dr Paisley said unionists were beginning to come together to remedy "the failure and deceit" of Mr Trimble's policies.
"The DUP will work with unionists of a like mind who share the DUP's goals of securing a stable and lasting settlement in our Province," he said.
"We look forward to talking to Jeffrey, Arlene and Norah to find a way in which we can improve the unionist position and best move forward and secure a fair deal for the people of Northern Ireland."
Mr. Donaldson, MP for Lagan Valley, said tonight: "After five years of arguing within the party for a better agreement, I have had to consider how we can best achieve that. Unfortunately I have been excluded by David Trimble from his negotiating team and I was threatened as recently as last Friday with expulsion from the party."
"I have come to the view that the Ulster Unionist Party no longer provides the vehicle for me to use my talents to achieve what I was mandated to work for. The meeting of the party executive last Friday was the final straw."
"I concluded that the party is out of touch with the views of ordinary unionists, the two thirds of the unionist electorate who reject the Agreement."
"I cannot see how the UUP could ever be the majority party in Northern Ireland or provide the leadership that is required, certainly under David Trimble's leadership."
Mr Donaldson, a protege of former UUP leader Lord Molyneaux and former constituency agent for Enoch Powell when he was the MP for South Down, said he had long argued for a strong unionist movement.
The Lagan Valley MP said a realigned unionist movement could "deliver a better agreement" in Northern Ireland commanding the support of both unionists and nationalists.
With Sinn Féin emerging the largest nationalist party, he argued that a stronger unionist voice was also needed.
"We are in a situation where Sinn Féin could at the next Westminster election swallow up the three SDLP seats and they could emerge not just the largest nationalist party but the largest party," he said.
"If unionists want to avoid that nightmare scenario they have to forge a more united movement and that is why I have taken this decision."
It seems to me
No more "Tiocaidh ar La" because our day HAS come.