PRC-UTE
31st December 2006, 01:08
Why did SF ever think the Unionists would play fair, let alone respect democracy?
SATURDAY 30/12/2006 10:34:47
DUP's McCrea makes new demands
http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=78928&pt=n
Sinn Fein must agree to the dismantling of IRA structures and the money
stolen in the Northern Bank robbery two years ago must be returned if they
are to convince unionists to share power, an MP has warned.
As Sinn Fein edged closer towards the acceptance of the Police Service of
Northern Ireland (PSNI) by calling a special party conference on policing
next month, Democratic Unionist MP the Rev William McCrea warned his
community would not be sleep-walked into accepting anything less than
democracy demanded.
The South Antrim MP warned Sinn Fein and the British and Irish
Governments: "Having once again listened to the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland (Peter Hain), it seems he is totally devoid of any
understanding of the position of unionism over the issues of policing,
justice, law and order and the other measures necessary to be resolved
before Sinn Fein can eventually be considered for Government in Northern
Ireland.
"Unfortunately Government is so taken up with crawling and scraping to
Sinn Fein/IRA that it has lost its credibility and integrity when dealing
with democratic standards.
"The Democratic Unionist Party has made it clear that policing is but one
of several major issues that need positive resolution before any deal can
be considered.
"My colleague Mr (Peter) Robinson MP has made it clear that the devolution
of policing and justice would be several light years away. Therefore the
issue is not on the radar irrespective of promises emanating from the
Northern Ireland Office, London and Dublin.
"The DUP resolve remains solid on this issue but we also serve notice that
many other issues need delivery.
"Sinn Fein has to agree to the dismantling of IRA structures, the handing
over of IRA ill-gotten gains including the Northern Bank robbery money,
informing on those responsible for the murder of Robert McCartney,
identifying the whereabouts of the disappeared - to name but a few of the
outstanding issues."
Mr McCrea`s demands came after two other senior DUP members, the party
chairman, Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley and MEP Jim Allister, also cast
doubt on whether Sinn Fein would be able to convince unionists that it was
genuinely supporting the police within the timeframe envisaged by the
British and Irish Governments for achieving devolution by March 26.
The South Antrim MP also insisted today the British Government had to
address a number of confidence building measures for unionists before the
DUP would be convinced that it should share power with Sinn Fein.
"The Government also must present a credible, lawful default mechanism to
ensure the removal of Sinn Fein from office when they breach the
democratic principals," he said.
"Also Government has to present a clear programme of confidence building
measures to rectify years of discrimination against the unionist community
in areas such as funding, parades, innocent victims etc.
"Our Government is trying to sleep-walk the unionist community into
accepting less than what democracy demands but they will fail.
"The period set out by the Government for the restoration of devolution at
Stormont would be laughable if it were not so serious.
"Unionists must demand a credible period of time to nail these issues down
to ensure the future peace and stability of our province."
Sinn Fein`s move to hold a special party conference on policing next month
was hailed as potentially historic on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Downing Street, Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and other political leaders,
including the Democratic Unionists` deputy leader, Peter Robinson,
welcomed the decision, hailed by Mr Hain as as hugely important and
comparable to the IRA`s declaration last year of an end to its armed
campaign.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "This statement is significant because
of the unequivocal support that Sinn Fein says it will offer - if this
motion is passed at the ard fheis (conference) - to not just the police
but also to those in communities in report crimes to the police.
"For the first time, there is the real prospect of all parties and all
sections of the community in Northern Ireland supporting the rule of law
in Northern Ireland."
Sinn Fein members will consider at the conference a motion which would ask
them to endorse calls for the transfer of policing and justice powers as
well as support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and its
equivalent in the Irish Republic, An Garda Siorchana.
The motion will also propose that Sinn Fein representatives join Northern
Ireland`s Policing Board and the local District Policing Partnerships.
SATURDAY 30/12/2006 10:34:47
DUP's McCrea makes new demands
http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=78928&pt=n
Sinn Fein must agree to the dismantling of IRA structures and the money
stolen in the Northern Bank robbery two years ago must be returned if they
are to convince unionists to share power, an MP has warned.
As Sinn Fein edged closer towards the acceptance of the Police Service of
Northern Ireland (PSNI) by calling a special party conference on policing
next month, Democratic Unionist MP the Rev William McCrea warned his
community would not be sleep-walked into accepting anything less than
democracy demanded.
The South Antrim MP warned Sinn Fein and the British and Irish
Governments: "Having once again listened to the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland (Peter Hain), it seems he is totally devoid of any
understanding of the position of unionism over the issues of policing,
justice, law and order and the other measures necessary to be resolved
before Sinn Fein can eventually be considered for Government in Northern
Ireland.
"Unfortunately Government is so taken up with crawling and scraping to
Sinn Fein/IRA that it has lost its credibility and integrity when dealing
with democratic standards.
"The Democratic Unionist Party has made it clear that policing is but one
of several major issues that need positive resolution before any deal can
be considered.
"My colleague Mr (Peter) Robinson MP has made it clear that the devolution
of policing and justice would be several light years away. Therefore the
issue is not on the radar irrespective of promises emanating from the
Northern Ireland Office, London and Dublin.
"The DUP resolve remains solid on this issue but we also serve notice that
many other issues need delivery.
"Sinn Fein has to agree to the dismantling of IRA structures, the handing
over of IRA ill-gotten gains including the Northern Bank robbery money,
informing on those responsible for the murder of Robert McCartney,
identifying the whereabouts of the disappeared - to name but a few of the
outstanding issues."
Mr McCrea`s demands came after two other senior DUP members, the party
chairman, Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley and MEP Jim Allister, also cast
doubt on whether Sinn Fein would be able to convince unionists that it was
genuinely supporting the police within the timeframe envisaged by the
British and Irish Governments for achieving devolution by March 26.
The South Antrim MP also insisted today the British Government had to
address a number of confidence building measures for unionists before the
DUP would be convinced that it should share power with Sinn Fein.
"The Government also must present a credible, lawful default mechanism to
ensure the removal of Sinn Fein from office when they breach the
democratic principals," he said.
"Also Government has to present a clear programme of confidence building
measures to rectify years of discrimination against the unionist community
in areas such as funding, parades, innocent victims etc.
"Our Government is trying to sleep-walk the unionist community into
accepting less than what democracy demands but they will fail.
"The period set out by the Government for the restoration of devolution at
Stormont would be laughable if it were not so serious.
"Unionists must demand a credible period of time to nail these issues down
to ensure the future peace and stability of our province."
Sinn Fein`s move to hold a special party conference on policing next month
was hailed as potentially historic on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Downing Street, Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and other political leaders,
including the Democratic Unionists` deputy leader, Peter Robinson,
welcomed the decision, hailed by Mr Hain as as hugely important and
comparable to the IRA`s declaration last year of an end to its armed
campaign.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "This statement is significant because
of the unequivocal support that Sinn Fein says it will offer - if this
motion is passed at the ard fheis (conference) - to not just the police
but also to those in communities in report crimes to the police.
"For the first time, there is the real prospect of all parties and all
sections of the community in Northern Ireland supporting the rule of law
in Northern Ireland."
Sinn Fein members will consider at the conference a motion which would ask
them to endorse calls for the transfer of policing and justice powers as
well as support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and its
equivalent in the Irish Republic, An Garda Siorchana.
The motion will also propose that Sinn Fein representatives join Northern
Ireland`s Policing Board and the local District Policing Partnerships.