CO-OPERATION CAN DEFEAT TERRORISM
Co-operation can defeat terrorism
TERRORISM can only be defeated by cross-community, cross border and International co-operation, the Good Friday Agreement provides that opportunity.
It has both a political and security dimension. With an elected Assembly in place both the justification of terrorism has been removed and a mandate for effective security measures to counter the barbarism of dissident minorities established.
With the facility to defeat terrorism available the response to the atrocity in Omagh, will determine whether governments and both communities in Ulster have the courage and resolution to sanction and support appropriate counter measures.
When an identified element in society reject the democratic will of the people and pursues a terrorist campaign which results in the indiscriminate slaughter of innocent men, women and children, the internment of those who plan, carry out and support the operation is not an academic option but an urgent civic and family duty.
The Assembly should be recalled to urgently pronounce on this issue. Condemnation is not enough, terrorism must be firmly confronted and dealt with by governments, political parties and the public at large who now all share that responsibility.
Far from marking the end of the peace process this tragic event is a brutal reminder of what life in the province will be like of we fail to energetically pursue its objectives.
DEMOCRAT,
Ballycarry.
TERRORISM can only be defeated by cross-community, cross border and International co-operation, the Good Friday Agreement provides that opportunity.
It has both a political and security dimension. With an elected Assembly in place both the justification of terrorism has been removed and a mandate for effective security measures to counter the barbarism of dissident minorities established.
With the facility to defeat terrorism available the response to the atrocity in Omagh, will determine whether governments and both communities in Ulster have the courage and resolution to sanction and support appropriate counter measures.
When an identified element in society reject the democratic will of the people and pursues a terrorist campaign which results in the indiscriminate slaughter of innocent men, women and children, the internment of those who plan, carry out and support the operation is not an academic option but an urgent civic and family duty.
The Assembly should be recalled to urgently pronounce on this issue. Condemnation is not enough, terrorism must be firmly confronted and dealt with by governments, political parties and the public at large who now all share that responsibility.
Far from marking the end of the peace process this tragic event is a brutal reminder of what life in the province will be like of we fail to energetically pursue its objectives.
DEMOCRAT,
Ballycarry.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0267
Published Date: 25-Aug-98
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