SINN FEIN ARE NO DIFFERENT FROM BOMBERS
Sinn Fein are no different from bombers'
By Jonathan Turner
UK Unionist leader Bob McCartney yesterday called on the prime minister to put renewed pressure on republicans to start decommissioning.
In a letter to the Irish News, he said those who planted the Omagh bomb were no different than members of Sinn Fein and the IRA.
"The fact that some do not write as easily as Mr Blair about their emotional response to the Omagh bomb does not mean that their grief and outrage is any the less intense," he said.
"Indeed, emotions can be used to mask the real issues which that horrific event has exposed.
"Unlike Mr Blair, I believe that, ethically and morally, those responsible for Saturday's slaughter are no different from Sinn Fein/IRA whom he seeks, for political reasons, to distance from that horror.
"Both share the same political objectives and both hold the view that terror and violence are justifiable in obtaining their goals."
Mr McCartney said there was no such thing as "good terrorists" who had set aside weapons they would use again in the future if necessary.
"If Sinn Fein/IRA have indeed given up violence for good, they should declare the whereabouts of all their explosives and assist the security forces by providing detailed information about their recent associates who are using the materials and know-how which Sinn Fein/IRA created and which they now purport to condemn."
By Jonathan Turner
UK Unionist leader Bob McCartney yesterday called on the prime minister to put renewed pressure on republicans to start decommissioning.
In a letter to the Irish News, he said those who planted the Omagh bomb were no different than members of Sinn Fein and the IRA.
"The fact that some do not write as easily as Mr Blair about their emotional response to the Omagh bomb does not mean that their grief and outrage is any the less intense," he said.
"Indeed, emotions can be used to mask the real issues which that horrific event has exposed.
"Unlike Mr Blair, I believe that, ethically and morally, those responsible for Saturday's slaughter are no different from Sinn Fein/IRA whom he seeks, for political reasons, to distance from that horror.
"Both share the same political objectives and both hold the view that terror and violence are justifiable in obtaining their goals."
Mr McCartney said there was no such thing as "good terrorists" who had set aside weapons they would use again in the future if necessary.
"If Sinn Fein/IRA have indeed given up violence for good, they should declare the whereabouts of all their explosives and assist the security forces by providing detailed information about their recent associates who are using the materials and know-how which Sinn Fein/IRA created and which they now purport to condemn."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0074
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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