DUP URGES A RETHINK ON THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS
DUP urges a rethink on the release of terrorist prisoners
NOW that terrorism is paying it is time for the Government to rethink its agreement on the early release of prisoners, DUP security spokesman Ian paisley Jnr said.
"People in Ulster are right to be angry and frustrated by the direct action against the innocent people and the indirect political policies that have caused a situation to exist that says 'violence pays'.
"The bombers are bombing and the terrorists killing because they know the Government will give into them."
Mr Paisley said the question that must now be answered is what will happen to the planned mass release of the most ruthless terrorist killers and bombers from Ulster's jails.
"Will the Government continue with this mindless action?" he asked.
"Or will they now at the 59th minute of the 1lth hour pull the plug on the mass release of terrorist prisoners?"
He said there are those who now want to wash their hands of responsibility for the Omagh atrocity.
"They are claiming this is the work of republican dissidents. They should realise that this is not so.
"To blame this on some spurious and imaginary republican faction is to deny the truth.
"The Government must now move away from this denial process and face the reality that the IRA want to be in Government and have the right to bomb and kill with impunity."
South Down MP Eddie McGrady said it was now clear that these terrorists are not going to respond to the overwhelming wish of the people of Ireland and will have to be dealt with in the severest possible fashion.
"I am disgusted and dismayed by the appalling and deliberate massacre which shows the evilness and the determination of those who perpetrated this dastardly act," he said.
UDP spokesman, John White, who condemned the outrage as mindless and senseless, urged loyalists to remain calm and not be drawn into any retaliatory action which would play into the hands of republicans intent on wrecking the peace process.
He called on everyone, particularly in the nationalist community, to assist the security forces in every way possible.
Workers Party president Tom French also said the tragedy must not be allowed to derail the peace process.
"This was mass murder which nothing can justify," he said.
"All parties and the people of Northern Ireland must now unite to show the terrorists responsible that their campaign of slaughter will not stop the peace process."
Republican Sinn Fein declined to condemn the bombing but said: "The disastrous tragedy at Omagh was an action which was neither controlled nor disciplined and as such cannot be condoned in any way."
Ulster Unionist Assemblyman Peter Weir said it was long overdue for the two governments to end their policy of appeasement.
"Government should act now to shore up democracy by removing the privileges of pro-terrorist parties, be they loyalist or republican.
"The prisoner release scheme should be immediately halted, and Sinn Fein should be excluded from government until they have genuinely committed themselves to peace, by dismantling their organisation and handed over their weaponry."
NOW that terrorism is paying it is time for the Government to rethink its agreement on the early release of prisoners, DUP security spokesman Ian paisley Jnr said.
"People in Ulster are right to be angry and frustrated by the direct action against the innocent people and the indirect political policies that have caused a situation to exist that says 'violence pays'.
"The bombers are bombing and the terrorists killing because they know the Government will give into them."
Mr Paisley said the question that must now be answered is what will happen to the planned mass release of the most ruthless terrorist killers and bombers from Ulster's jails.
"Will the Government continue with this mindless action?" he asked.
"Or will they now at the 59th minute of the 1lth hour pull the plug on the mass release of terrorist prisoners?"
He said there are those who now want to wash their hands of responsibility for the Omagh atrocity.
"They are claiming this is the work of republican dissidents. They should realise that this is not so.
"To blame this on some spurious and imaginary republican faction is to deny the truth.
"The Government must now move away from this denial process and face the reality that the IRA want to be in Government and have the right to bomb and kill with impunity."
South Down MP Eddie McGrady said it was now clear that these terrorists are not going to respond to the overwhelming wish of the people of Ireland and will have to be dealt with in the severest possible fashion.
"I am disgusted and dismayed by the appalling and deliberate massacre which shows the evilness and the determination of those who perpetrated this dastardly act," he said.
UDP spokesman, John White, who condemned the outrage as mindless and senseless, urged loyalists to remain calm and not be drawn into any retaliatory action which would play into the hands of republicans intent on wrecking the peace process.
He called on everyone, particularly in the nationalist community, to assist the security forces in every way possible.
Workers Party president Tom French also said the tragedy must not be allowed to derail the peace process.
"This was mass murder which nothing can justify," he said.
"All parties and the people of Northern Ireland must now unite to show the terrorists responsible that their campaign of slaughter will not stop the peace process."
Republican Sinn Fein declined to condemn the bombing but said: "The disastrous tragedy at Omagh was an action which was neither controlled nor disciplined and as such cannot be condoned in any way."
Ulster Unionist Assemblyman Peter Weir said it was long overdue for the two governments to end their policy of appeasement.
"Government should act now to shore up democracy by removing the privileges of pro-terrorist parties, be they loyalist or republican.
"The prisoner release scheme should be immediately halted, and Sinn Fein should be excluded from government until they have genuinely committed themselves to peace, by dismantling their organisation and handed over their weaponry."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/025
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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