UVF calls end to terror campaign

[Redmau5]

The paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force has declared that it is renouncing violence and will cease to exist as a terrorist organisation from midnight.

It also said it will keep its weapons, but has put them "beyond reach".

However, the arms decommissioning body has said this did not meet the requirements set out in government legislation.

During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the loyalist UVF murdered more than 500 people.

Full BBC article. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6618371.stm?ls)

Thoughts?

[Demogorgon]

The UVF are scum, but if they manage to restrain themselves even if only to a degree, it must be a good thing.

[welshred]

"put the weapons out of reach" so that means that the UVF can put them back into reach. Much better if they destroy the weapons.

[Fawkes]

It also said it will keep its weapons, but has put them "beyond reach".
Beyond reach of whom?

[PRC-UTE]

in the past they've used butcher knives, this statement has little meaning. Given the recent cooperation between the colonial police passing intel on republican socialists to the loyalists it's hard to swallow. However if it is more than an orchestrated PR stunt, I welcome it.

[Redmau5]

Originally posted by PRC-[email protected] 04, 2007 09:41 pm
in the past they've used butcher knives, this statement has little meaning. Given the recent cooperation between the colonial police passing intel on republican socialists to the loyalists it's hard to swallow. However if it is more than an orchestrated PR stunt, I welcome it.
Indeed. Their most horrific crimes did not involve guns or bombs, they involved meat cleavers and axes. There was a hell of alot of pressure put on the IRA to decommission their weapons, so hopefully the UVF will feel the same pressure. If it is totally committed to peace, they should have no problems destroying their weaponry.

[WUOrevolt]

Originally posted by [email protected] 05, 2007 01:41 am

It also said it will keep its weapons, but has put them "beyond reach".
Beyond reach of whom?
In the article it stated that the leadership will store them away so only they will have access to the weapons and not UVF members.

[Demogorgon]

Originally posted by WUOrevolt+May 07, 2007 04:00 am--> (WUOrevolt @ May 07, 2007 04:00 am)
[email protected] 05, 2007 01:41 am

It also said it will keep its weapons, but has put them "beyond reach".
Beyond reach of whom?
In the article it stated that the leadership will store them away so only they will have access to the weapons and not UVF members. [/b]
Well that is fucking brilliant, isn't it? The members will be temporarilly forced to fall back on knivings until the leadership see fit to give them the guns again, which they can do any time they please.

Destroy the weapons. Nothing less is acceptable.

[Janus]

The UVF has yet to formally disarm like the IRA actually did so I remain skeptical. There is also the matter of the other paramilitary organizations such as the UDA and LVF.

[PRC-UTE]

Originally posted by [email protected] 07, 2007 09:54 pm
The UVF has yet to formally disarm like the IRA actually did so I remain skeptical. There is also the matter of the other paramilitary organizations such as the UDA and LVF.
True, the UDA was the largest of all the paramilitary armies.