MIXED VIEWS ON TERRORIST CRACKDOWN
Mixed views on terrorist crackdown
By Noel McAdam
TONY Blair's crackdown on dissident terrorist groups has been given a mixed reception from politicians.
Unionists were divided on the proposed legislative and security measures announced by the Prime Minister, with the DUP and Ulster Unionist MP for Omagh, Willie Thompson, attacking the moves as "too little, too late".
In contrast, Sinn Fein warned they went "too far" and said it would be an act of "extreme folly" to give the RUC additional repressive powers.
First Minister David Trimble said he welcomed the decision to recall Parliament next week to enact the special legislation.
Speaking after a meeting with Mr Blair, he said he hoped the PM would enact in full the recommendations and requirements of Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.
Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, also speaking after the meeting, said: "We are at a stage, and I believe public opinion north and south will support this, that in effect those who wish to take it into their own hands to kill people in a particularly murderous way. that they have to be dealt with under the law."
The Irish Government, in a statement, said it believed the action being taken in both countries would be fully effective in defeating terrorism.
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said people were asking serious questions about the implementation of the equality and justice agenda, against the background of the new powers given to the RUC.
And he called on Mr Trimble to "end the war within his mind against Sinn Fein and keep his word" on implementing the Good Friday Agreement.
DUP leader Ian Paisley welcomed the measures, but said they did not go far enough.
"Its quite clear the Provisional IRA has nothing to fear from this legislation - it is a two tier system of dealing with terrorists,' he said.
West Tyrone MP William Thompson said internment would be more effective on both sides of the border, but Omagh SDLP councillor and Assembly member Joe Byrne said nationalists were prepared to support the measures to allow new political structures to get off the ground.
Alliance Assembly leader Sean Neeson said, however, it was important that the effectiveness of the new measures was kept under review.
By Noel McAdam
TONY Blair's crackdown on dissident terrorist groups has been given a mixed reception from politicians.
Unionists were divided on the proposed legislative and security measures announced by the Prime Minister, with the DUP and Ulster Unionist MP for Omagh, Willie Thompson, attacking the moves as "too little, too late".
In contrast, Sinn Fein warned they went "too far" and said it would be an act of "extreme folly" to give the RUC additional repressive powers.
First Minister David Trimble said he welcomed the decision to recall Parliament next week to enact the special legislation.
Speaking after a meeting with Mr Blair, he said he hoped the PM would enact in full the recommendations and requirements of Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.
Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon, also speaking after the meeting, said: "We are at a stage, and I believe public opinion north and south will support this, that in effect those who wish to take it into their own hands to kill people in a particularly murderous way. that they have to be dealt with under the law."
The Irish Government, in a statement, said it believed the action being taken in both countries would be fully effective in defeating terrorism.
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said people were asking serious questions about the implementation of the equality and justice agenda, against the background of the new powers given to the RUC.
And he called on Mr Trimble to "end the war within his mind against Sinn Fein and keep his word" on implementing the Good Friday Agreement.
DUP leader Ian Paisley welcomed the measures, but said they did not go far enough.
"Its quite clear the Provisional IRA has nothing to fear from this legislation - it is a two tier system of dealing with terrorists,' he said.
West Tyrone MP William Thompson said internment would be more effective on both sides of the border, but Omagh SDLP councillor and Assembly member Joe Byrne said nationalists were prepared to support the measures to allow new political structures to get off the ground.
Alliance Assembly leader Sean Neeson said, however, it was important that the effectiveness of the new measures was kept under review.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0273
Published Date: 26-Aug-98
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