EYES OF WORLD ON ULSTER DUO
EYES OF WORLD ON ULSTER DUO
New terror fears cloud big day
By Our Political Staff
NOBEL Peace Prize winners John Hume and David Trimble were arriving in Oslo today as efforts went on to break the logjam over implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
The glittering peace prize ceremony also came against a background of growing security forces fears over the activities of dissident republicans.
And there is mounting concern over the ongoing Drumcree protest as Portadown Orange leaders applied to the Parades Commission for permission for 12 marches and a carol service over the Christmas and New Year period.
Security sources say the protesters are planning "an escalation" through December and January, hoping to swell their numbers with people who are off work.
Security forces on both sides of the border also said recent weapons finds confirmed fears that dissident republicans are planning to return to violence.
After taking a four-month hiatus in the wake of the Omagh bomb, republicans associated with the Real IRA and Continuity IRA are believed to be renewing attacks.
Police say members of the Real IRA, which called a ceasefire after murdering 29 people in Omagh, have gravitated towards the Continuity IRA.
Police are particularly concerned about attacks being launched in south Armagh, where it is believed the Omagh bomb was assembled.
Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon is to miss out on tomorrow's prestigious ceremony to monitor the continuing delicate party contacts at Stormont instead.
Mr Mallon and senior SF negotiator Martin McGuinness were holding separate talks on the impasse with Tony Blair in Downing Street today but no early breakthrough on the negotiations appeared likely.
Mr Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern also plan to meet in Vienna on Friday at an EU summit to try to find a solution to the current deadlock over North/South bodies and establishment of an Assembly executive.
A rehearsal of tomorrow's ceremony was today taking place in Oslo City Hall.
But it has emerged John Hume's eldest daughter Therese has been forced to miss the Nobel prize-giving ceremony in Oslo due to a back injury.
The eldest of John and Pat Hume's five children, Therese, is said to be devastated over missing the event which will see her beloved father received his most prestigious peace award to date.
Although all 10 Ulster Unionist MPs were invited to the ceremony, it appears none have taken up the invitation.
All 28 Ulster Unionist Assembly members have also been invited and those attending included close Trimble aide Dermot Nesbitt, former Belfast Lord Mayor Ian Adamson, and Esmond Birnie.
On Mr Hume's guest list are American Senator Chris Dodd, and Tommy O'Neill, son of the late Tip O'Neill, who served as speaker of the House of Representatives.
New terror fears cloud big day
By Our Political Staff
NOBEL Peace Prize winners John Hume and David Trimble were arriving in Oslo today as efforts went on to break the logjam over implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
The glittering peace prize ceremony also came against a background of growing security forces fears over the activities of dissident republicans.
And there is mounting concern over the ongoing Drumcree protest as Portadown Orange leaders applied to the Parades Commission for permission for 12 marches and a carol service over the Christmas and New Year period.
Security sources say the protesters are planning "an escalation" through December and January, hoping to swell their numbers with people who are off work.
Security forces on both sides of the border also said recent weapons finds confirmed fears that dissident republicans are planning to return to violence.
After taking a four-month hiatus in the wake of the Omagh bomb, republicans associated with the Real IRA and Continuity IRA are believed to be renewing attacks.
Police say members of the Real IRA, which called a ceasefire after murdering 29 people in Omagh, have gravitated towards the Continuity IRA.
Police are particularly concerned about attacks being launched in south Armagh, where it is believed the Omagh bomb was assembled.
Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon is to miss out on tomorrow's prestigious ceremony to monitor the continuing delicate party contacts at Stormont instead.
Mr Mallon and senior SF negotiator Martin McGuinness were holding separate talks on the impasse with Tony Blair in Downing Street today but no early breakthrough on the negotiations appeared likely.
Mr Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern also plan to meet in Vienna on Friday at an EU summit to try to find a solution to the current deadlock over North/South bodies and establishment of an Assembly executive.
A rehearsal of tomorrow's ceremony was today taking place in Oslo City Hall.
But it has emerged John Hume's eldest daughter Therese has been forced to miss the Nobel prize-giving ceremony in Oslo due to a back injury.
The eldest of John and Pat Hume's five children, Therese, is said to be devastated over missing the event which will see her beloved father received his most prestigious peace award to date.
Although all 10 Ulster Unionist MPs were invited to the ceremony, it appears none have taken up the invitation.
All 28 Ulster Unionist Assembly members have also been invited and those attending included close Trimble aide Dermot Nesbitt, former Belfast Lord Mayor Ian Adamson, and Esmond Birnie.
On Mr Hume's guest list are American Senator Chris Dodd, and Tommy O'Neill, son of the late Tip O'Neill, who served as speaker of the House of Representatives.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0538
Published Date: 09-Dec-98
Related Images
