REAL IRA CEASEFIRE CLAIM IS MET WITH SCEPTICISM
Real IRA ceasefire claim is met with scepticism
By DOMINIC CUNNINGHAM in Belfast
WIDESPREAD scepticism yesterday followed a claim by the Real IRA that it had suspended its military operations in the wake of the Omagh bombing. The statement came just a few hours after the shadowy republican terror group's admission that it carried out the County Tyrone atrocity on Saturday last.
In a late-night phone call to the news desk at the Irish News in Belfast a man using a recognised code word said the decision was as a result of pressure from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and others.
"As a direct result of the Omagh tragedy and in response to the appeals of Bertie Ahern and others we are embarking on a process of consultation on our future direction,'' the man, who has not been identified, said.
"In the meantime all military operations have been suspended from 12 midnight,'' he added.
The caller refused to answer questions and would give no indications as to how long the consultation period would take but he repeated the Real IRA's earlier statement of "regret'' over the Omagh casualties and said it had not been intended to kill civilians.
But politicians at all levels in the North refused to accept the statement and some believed it was purely a cynical tactic to ease the enormous pressure on the group's political allies since the Omagh atrocity.
North Secretary Dr Mo Mowlam said on a day when 16 victims of the outrage were being buried it was an insult to believe words could mean anything.
Dr Mowlam pledged that the statement would make no difference to her determination to ensure there was no hiding place for the killers.
Later in talks with the Progressive Unionists Dr Mowlam said the full resources of the security forces, including specialists from the London Metropolitan Police, were being deployed to catch those responsible and ensure there was no repetition.
"From what I said I hope they can be confident in how the two governments will handle the security situation,'' she said.
Stormont First Minister David Trimble described the Real IRA's suspension of military operations statement as "pretty contemptible'' while his deputy Seamus Mallon accused the group of attempting to excuse the inexcusable.
Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said the statement had come too late and he urged all terror groups to call a complete halt to their activities.
The leader of the UK Unionists Mr Bob McCartney said he viewed the statement with suspicion while Alliance Assembly member Mr David Ford said if the Real IRA was genuine it would have called a complete cessation.
Meanwhile, Popular Unionist Party leader Billy Hutchinson has survived three attempts on his life by the INLA, it emerged yesterday.
The representative for North Belfast in the New Assembly, said he has had to change his car 12 times in the last three years because of threats on his life. The RUC had detected tampering with his cars, he said.
He said he has also had to move house three times within the last four years, for the same reason. He also said he has avoided three attempts on his life by the INLA in the last eighteen months, the most recent just before the Agreement this year.
By DOMINIC CUNNINGHAM in Belfast
WIDESPREAD scepticism yesterday followed a claim by the Real IRA that it had suspended its military operations in the wake of the Omagh bombing. The statement came just a few hours after the shadowy republican terror group's admission that it carried out the County Tyrone atrocity on Saturday last.
In a late-night phone call to the news desk at the Irish News in Belfast a man using a recognised code word said the decision was as a result of pressure from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and others.
"As a direct result of the Omagh tragedy and in response to the appeals of Bertie Ahern and others we are embarking on a process of consultation on our future direction,'' the man, who has not been identified, said.
"In the meantime all military operations have been suspended from 12 midnight,'' he added.
The caller refused to answer questions and would give no indications as to how long the consultation period would take but he repeated the Real IRA's earlier statement of "regret'' over the Omagh casualties and said it had not been intended to kill civilians.
But politicians at all levels in the North refused to accept the statement and some believed it was purely a cynical tactic to ease the enormous pressure on the group's political allies since the Omagh atrocity.
North Secretary Dr Mo Mowlam said on a day when 16 victims of the outrage were being buried it was an insult to believe words could mean anything.
Dr Mowlam pledged that the statement would make no difference to her determination to ensure there was no hiding place for the killers.
Later in talks with the Progressive Unionists Dr Mowlam said the full resources of the security forces, including specialists from the London Metropolitan Police, were being deployed to catch those responsible and ensure there was no repetition.
"From what I said I hope they can be confident in how the two governments will handle the security situation,'' she said.
Stormont First Minister David Trimble described the Real IRA's suspension of military operations statement as "pretty contemptible'' while his deputy Seamus Mallon accused the group of attempting to excuse the inexcusable.
Sinn Fein chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said the statement had come too late and he urged all terror groups to call a complete halt to their activities.
The leader of the UK Unionists Mr Bob McCartney said he viewed the statement with suspicion while Alliance Assembly member Mr David Ford said if the Real IRA was genuine it would have called a complete cessation.
Meanwhile, Popular Unionist Party leader Billy Hutchinson has survived three attempts on his life by the INLA, it emerged yesterday.
The representative for North Belfast in the New Assembly, said he has had to change his car 12 times in the last three years because of threats on his life. The RUC had detected tampering with his cars, he said.
He said he has also had to move house three times within the last four years, for the same reason. He also said he has avoided three attempts on his life by the INLA in the last eighteen months, the most recent just before the Agreement this year.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/059
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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