EMOTION CAN MASK THE REAL ISSUES
Emotion can mask the real issues
THE fact that some do not write as easily as Mr Blair about their emotional response to the Omagh bomb does not mean that their grief and outrage is any the less intense. Indeed, emotions can be used to mask the real issues which that horrific event has exposed.
Unlike Mr Blair. I believe that, ethically and morally, those responsible for Saturday's slaughter are no different from Sinn Fein/IRA whom he seeks, for political reasons, to distance from that horror.
Both share the same political objectives and both share the view that terror and violence are justifiable in obtaining their goals.
To suggest there are "good" terrorists within the process who, for the moment, are not using the explosives they are determined to retain, and "bad" terrorists outside the process who retain explosives they are currently using, is a crime against morality, democracy and decency.
If Sinn Fein/IRA have given up violence for good they should declare the whereabouts of all their explosives and assist the security forces by providing detailed information about their recent associates.
The time for fudge and fraud is over. Mr Blair and his Government must discharge their primary obligations of protecting the lives, persons and property of all its citizens. Sinn Fein/IRA must be called upon to deliver up all their explosives and weapons, or be treated like those who used the same armaments at Omagh.
The thinking and brutality which caused the Bloody Friday, Enniskillen, Le Mon and Shankill horrors are exactly the same as those which gave birth to the slaughter of innocents in Omagh.
ROBERT MCCARTNEY
House of Commons
THE fact that some do not write as easily as Mr Blair about their emotional response to the Omagh bomb does not mean that their grief and outrage is any the less intense. Indeed, emotions can be used to mask the real issues which that horrific event has exposed.
Unlike Mr Blair. I believe that, ethically and morally, those responsible for Saturday's slaughter are no different from Sinn Fein/IRA whom he seeks, for political reasons, to distance from that horror.
Both share the same political objectives and both share the view that terror and violence are justifiable in obtaining their goals.
To suggest there are "good" terrorists within the process who, for the moment, are not using the explosives they are determined to retain, and "bad" terrorists outside the process who retain explosives they are currently using, is a crime against morality, democracy and decency.
If Sinn Fein/IRA have given up violence for good they should declare the whereabouts of all their explosives and assist the security forces by providing detailed information about their recent associates.
The time for fudge and fraud is over. Mr Blair and his Government must discharge their primary obligations of protecting the lives, persons and property of all its citizens. Sinn Fein/IRA must be called upon to deliver up all their explosives and weapons, or be treated like those who used the same armaments at Omagh.
The thinking and brutality which caused the Bloody Friday, Enniskillen, Le Mon and Shankill horrors are exactly the same as those which gave birth to the slaughter of innocents in Omagh.
ROBERT MCCARTNEY
House of Commons
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0138
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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