INNOCENTS ARE STILL THE LOSERS
VIEWPOINT
Innocents are still the losers
TIT-FOR-TAT ATTACKS: Two years on from Omagh reconciliation remains distant dream
As relatives gathered to mark the second anniversary of the Omagh tragedy, there are feelings of frustration and sadness about the course of the investigations - and the current tit-for-tat sectarian attacks. Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern have issued another appeal for witnesses to come forward, to provide hard evidence for what the police already know about the Real IRA, but there is an element of desperation about attempts to heal the old wounds. Although much has been achieved on the political front over the past two years, progress in reconciling the republican and loyalist communities has been regrettably slow. Drumcree and its aftermath helped to sour the atmosphere, and the release of the last of the terrorist prisoners has only acted as an encouragement to the illegal organisations. When tensions are high, they go back to what they do best - threatening people - and there is more than a hint of organisation behind the wave of sectarian attacks that are making August a miserable month for many living on the peace lines.
Those who threw the first missiles or paint bombs obviously knew what they were doing. Retaliation by rival gangs was inevitable and more innocents, caught in the middle, are the losers. This is clearly the last thing Northern Ireland needs, as it tries to move forward into a new era of mutual respect and stability - and the bully boys know it. They have no interest in community peace, where their influence would be diminished, and they are trying to strengthen their hand in this transitional period between the old order and the new.
It is a cynical game, played out by paramilitary elements on both sides of the political fence, showing how little control the conventional politicians exert upon them. Hopefully, the trouble will exhaust itself soon, as the holidays end, but everyone should be reminded of how much work needs to be done, in terms of community relations, as not only homes, but churches and Orange halls become targets, and threats escalate.
Calls have been made for talks between the two communities and their representatives and they cannot come a moment too soon. History shows how easily stones become bullets and armed patrols, mounted by defence associations, become accessories to murder and mayhem.
In the longer term, members of the Assembly and executive must provide a better example of how opponents can co-operate, for progress. Omagh and the present catalogue of community abuse must be put firmly in the past.
Innocents are still the losers
TIT-FOR-TAT ATTACKS: Two years on from Omagh reconciliation remains distant dream
As relatives gathered to mark the second anniversary of the Omagh tragedy, there are feelings of frustration and sadness about the course of the investigations - and the current tit-for-tat sectarian attacks. Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern have issued another appeal for witnesses to come forward, to provide hard evidence for what the police already know about the Real IRA, but there is an element of desperation about attempts to heal the old wounds. Although much has been achieved on the political front over the past two years, progress in reconciling the republican and loyalist communities has been regrettably slow. Drumcree and its aftermath helped to sour the atmosphere, and the release of the last of the terrorist prisoners has only acted as an encouragement to the illegal organisations. When tensions are high, they go back to what they do best - threatening people - and there is more than a hint of organisation behind the wave of sectarian attacks that are making August a miserable month for many living on the peace lines.
Those who threw the first missiles or paint bombs obviously knew what they were doing. Retaliation by rival gangs was inevitable and more innocents, caught in the middle, are the losers. This is clearly the last thing Northern Ireland needs, as it tries to move forward into a new era of mutual respect and stability - and the bully boys know it. They have no interest in community peace, where their influence would be diminished, and they are trying to strengthen their hand in this transitional period between the old order and the new.
It is a cynical game, played out by paramilitary elements on both sides of the political fence, showing how little control the conventional politicians exert upon them. Hopefully, the trouble will exhaust itself soon, as the holidays end, but everyone should be reminded of how much work needs to be done, in terms of community relations, as not only homes, but churches and Orange halls become targets, and threats escalate.
Calls have been made for talks between the two communities and their representatives and they cannot come a moment too soon. History shows how easily stones become bullets and armed patrols, mounted by defence associations, become accessories to murder and mayhem.
In the longer term, members of the Assembly and executive must provide a better example of how opponents can co-operate, for progress. Omagh and the present catalogue of community abuse must be put firmly in the past.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0754
Published Date: 15-Aug-00
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