REMEMBER OMAGH AND FORGET VIOLENCE
Remember Omagh and forget violence, say SDLP
By Noel McAdam,
Political Correspondent
THE first anniversary of the Omagh bomb outrage should be a reminder to the political parties of the urgent need to implement the Good Friday Agreement in full, an SDLP Assemblyman said today.
West Tyrone member Joe Byrne said following the bomb which killed 29 there could be no more ambivalence towards the use of political violence.
"The best way permanent peace can be secured in the North of Ireland is for all of the main political parties to live up to their obligations," he said.
He said the review of the Agreement should be short and focused and not used negatively as a means to exclude any party.
"The Omagh bomb outrage has demonstrated that we cannot take peace for granted, and that there are loyalist and republican dissidents who are determined the democratically expressed will of the people of this island for inclusive partnership government representing both sides of our community," Mr Byrne added.
The courage shown by the families and the way both sides of the community had come together had sent a clear message to opponents of the Agreement. "Unfortunately, this spirit of reconciliation does not seem to have affected some of our politicians who seem intent on frustrating the wishes of the vast number of people from both sides of the community who want to see the democratic institutions contained in the Good Friday Agreement set up as soon as possible," he went on.
Meanwhile, the self-appointed Human Rights Bureau group has said both RUC and Gardai know the identity of those who planted the Omagh bomb and legislation brought in after the mass murder would allow their conviction for at least five years.
Spokesman Vincent McKenna said: "The reality is that the greatest threat that terrorists pose to the long-term opportunities for peace on these islands is over the next three to five years.
"It would therefore make sense that all terrorists who pose a threat in the short to medium term be imprisoned under the present legislation. It is time now for the Governments to face up to their responsibilities."
By Noel McAdam,
Political Correspondent
THE first anniversary of the Omagh bomb outrage should be a reminder to the political parties of the urgent need to implement the Good Friday Agreement in full, an SDLP Assemblyman said today.
West Tyrone member Joe Byrne said following the bomb which killed 29 there could be no more ambivalence towards the use of political violence.
"The best way permanent peace can be secured in the North of Ireland is for all of the main political parties to live up to their obligations," he said.
He said the review of the Agreement should be short and focused and not used negatively as a means to exclude any party.
"The Omagh bomb outrage has demonstrated that we cannot take peace for granted, and that there are loyalist and republican dissidents who are determined the democratically expressed will of the people of this island for inclusive partnership government representing both sides of our community," Mr Byrne added.
The courage shown by the families and the way both sides of the community had come together had sent a clear message to opponents of the Agreement. "Unfortunately, this spirit of reconciliation does not seem to have affected some of our politicians who seem intent on frustrating the wishes of the vast number of people from both sides of the community who want to see the democratic institutions contained in the Good Friday Agreement set up as soon as possible," he went on.
Meanwhile, the self-appointed Human Rights Bureau group has said both RUC and Gardai know the identity of those who planted the Omagh bomb and legislation brought in after the mass murder would allow their conviction for at least five years.
Spokesman Vincent McKenna said: "The reality is that the greatest threat that terrorists pose to the long-term opportunities for peace on these islands is over the next three to five years.
"It would therefore make sense that all terrorists who pose a threat in the short to medium term be imprisoned under the present legislation. It is time now for the Governments to face up to their responsibilities."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0595
Published Date: 14-Aug-99
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.