WHY THE CHANGE IN TACTICS
Why the change in tactics?
BRITISH citizens in Northern Ireland are entitled to an explanation as to why the terrorism of the Provos and that of the "Real IRA" is so different.
Provisional IRA terrorism was not met by superior force, as it should have been, but rather with a series of concessions such as the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the Downing Street Declaration and the Framework Document leading to the staging post of the Belfast Agreement which will lead to the ending of a British Northern Ireland.
No unionist would have voted for Government by All-Ireland Bodies and the early release of terrorist prisoners except there had been the terror campaign by the IRA and the prospect of that campaign continuing.
Many will be baffled as to why Gerry Adams could carry the coffin of the Shankill bomber but be on the platform at the Omagh memorial service.
Other questions arise such as is terrorism linked to a politicial mandate legitimate? If those responsible for the Omagh bomb developed a "political party" as the Provisional Republican movement did, would ecumenical clergy, the Trimble unionists and business leaders be advocating an all-inclusive peace agreement with such a party? Logic insists that they would.
When compared to the blood letting of the Provisional IRA, the "Real IRA" is responsible for a fraction of the carnage of the last 30 years. Sadly, Provisional IRA carnage was rewarded by the introduction of the Belfast Agreement.
The new tough action against the "Real IRA", while welcome, has questionable motivation. If protection of British citizens in Northern Ireland is the motive, why was similar action not introduced to deal with the Provisional IRA who have been guilty of much more terrorism?
For 30 years neither Labour nor Tory administrations seriously engaged the Provisional IRA who were guilty of terror on a much larger scale overall than the Omagh bomb.
It would, therefore, be unlikely that the new tough action is for the well-being of the unionist people or the protection of Northern Ireland's status with the UK; rather it is more likely the tough action proposed is to preserve the so-called peace process.
This process, leading to all-Ireland Implementing Bodies, is the product of Provisional IRA terrorism, and is the price tag of keeping such terrorism off the British mainland.
ALAN GRAHAM, DUP, North Down
BRITISH citizens in Northern Ireland are entitled to an explanation as to why the terrorism of the Provos and that of the "Real IRA" is so different.
Provisional IRA terrorism was not met by superior force, as it should have been, but rather with a series of concessions such as the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the Downing Street Declaration and the Framework Document leading to the staging post of the Belfast Agreement which will lead to the ending of a British Northern Ireland.
No unionist would have voted for Government by All-Ireland Bodies and the early release of terrorist prisoners except there had been the terror campaign by the IRA and the prospect of that campaign continuing.
Many will be baffled as to why Gerry Adams could carry the coffin of the Shankill bomber but be on the platform at the Omagh memorial service.
Other questions arise such as is terrorism linked to a politicial mandate legitimate? If those responsible for the Omagh bomb developed a "political party" as the Provisional Republican movement did, would ecumenical clergy, the Trimble unionists and business leaders be advocating an all-inclusive peace agreement with such a party? Logic insists that they would.
When compared to the blood letting of the Provisional IRA, the "Real IRA" is responsible for a fraction of the carnage of the last 30 years. Sadly, Provisional IRA carnage was rewarded by the introduction of the Belfast Agreement.
The new tough action against the "Real IRA", while welcome, has questionable motivation. If protection of British citizens in Northern Ireland is the motive, why was similar action not introduced to deal with the Provisional IRA who have been guilty of much more terrorism?
For 30 years neither Labour nor Tory administrations seriously engaged the Provisional IRA who were guilty of terror on a much larger scale overall than the Omagh bomb.
It would, therefore, be unlikely that the new tough action is for the well-being of the unionist people or the protection of Northern Ireland's status with the UK; rather it is more likely the tough action proposed is to preserve the so-called peace process.
This process, leading to all-Ireland Implementing Bodies, is the product of Provisional IRA terrorism, and is the price tag of keeping such terrorism off the British mainland.
ALAN GRAHAM, DUP, North Down
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0658
Published Date: 12-Sep-98
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