THE PATH AHEAD IS FOR DEMOCRATS ONLY
The path ahead is for democrats only
I WELCOME the public declaration by the Irish Government of its intent to suppress republican terrorism.
The response from our Prime Minister to my insistence on equivalent strong measures in the United Kingdom has been encouraging.
I hope that he will move to act quickly by recalling Parliament - the power to deal with terrorism resides at Westminister and that is where the action is needed.
I have been encouraged and am grateful for the support I received in Omagh during my visits there.
Constantly I have been implored to "Keep going and don't give up". My party and I remain committed to that end and we will not allow ourselves to deflected by acts or by threats of violence.
As First Minister-designate in the Northern Ireland Assembly, it is my responsibility to ensure that democracy is protected and that both the letter and spirit of the Stormount Agreement is observed and implemented.
I do not accept that any paramilitary-linked party can be allowed to enjoy the benefits of, without fully honouring its obligations to, that Agreement.
I see it as my duty to the people of Northern Ireland to ensure that any new devolved Administration in Stormont is comprised of only those who unequivocally repudiate violence for good and where their associated groups have co-operated in the removal of all the instruments of
war - those who have fully disarmed.
If ever there was an occasion for Sinn Fein and others to say, 'The War is over' and to act accordingly, it is now.
These groups are either part of this new beginning or they are still caught up in the time-warp of their old violent past - there is no half-way house.
They owe it to the people of Omagh and to all the victims of terrorism to recognise and act according to President Clinton's words, 'Men of Violence, your time is past!'
The Disarmament Commission is now in place and the necessary legislation has been enacted to accommodate an immediate beginning to the process of getting rid of terrorist weapons. If the words of condemnation by Sinn Fein's leaders after Omagh mean anything, let the IRA move to disarm now.
And this applies equally to other terror groups.
The path ahead is for democrats only. It is only open for those who have the courage and moral decency to turn their backs on terrorism for good.
I know that there is understandable anxiety that Ulster Unionism, under my leadership, took decisions last April which were fraught with difficulty and indeed, with danger.
We did so in the interest of Northern Ireland Society as a whole, and in order to expedite the transition from violence to democracy.
The tragic events of last Saturday in Omagh were carried out by those who would defy the democratic voice of our people and who want to
frustrate a society seeking to live together in honourable accommodation for the first time in decades, perhaps centuries.
It is that which marks the difference between this crisis and others we have experienced in the past.
This time we have a firm basis for progress. One endorsed by both sections of the community. I am sure that the greater number of people want to see those engaged in violence, or who equivocate about it, marginalised, and want to see us proceed together.
That imposes obligations on us all. I hope that those who have been tardy in fulfilling their obligations now do so.
I know that the Ulster Unionist Party will continue to strive to bring about the Northern Ireland at ease with itself and its neighbours.
I WELCOME the public declaration by the Irish Government of its intent to suppress republican terrorism.
The response from our Prime Minister to my insistence on equivalent strong measures in the United Kingdom has been encouraging.
I hope that he will move to act quickly by recalling Parliament - the power to deal with terrorism resides at Westminister and that is where the action is needed.
I have been encouraged and am grateful for the support I received in Omagh during my visits there.
Constantly I have been implored to "Keep going and don't give up". My party and I remain committed to that end and we will not allow ourselves to deflected by acts or by threats of violence.
As First Minister-designate in the Northern Ireland Assembly, it is my responsibility to ensure that democracy is protected and that both the letter and spirit of the Stormount Agreement is observed and implemented.
I do not accept that any paramilitary-linked party can be allowed to enjoy the benefits of, without fully honouring its obligations to, that Agreement.
I see it as my duty to the people of Northern Ireland to ensure that any new devolved Administration in Stormont is comprised of only those who unequivocally repudiate violence for good and where their associated groups have co-operated in the removal of all the instruments of
war - those who have fully disarmed.
If ever there was an occasion for Sinn Fein and others to say, 'The War is over' and to act accordingly, it is now.
These groups are either part of this new beginning or they are still caught up in the time-warp of their old violent past - there is no half-way house.
They owe it to the people of Omagh and to all the victims of terrorism to recognise and act according to President Clinton's words, 'Men of Violence, your time is past!'
The Disarmament Commission is now in place and the necessary legislation has been enacted to accommodate an immediate beginning to the process of getting rid of terrorist weapons. If the words of condemnation by Sinn Fein's leaders after Omagh mean anything, let the IRA move to disarm now.
And this applies equally to other terror groups.
The path ahead is for democrats only. It is only open for those who have the courage and moral decency to turn their backs on terrorism for good.
I know that there is understandable anxiety that Ulster Unionism, under my leadership, took decisions last April which were fraught with difficulty and indeed, with danger.
We did so in the interest of Northern Ireland Society as a whole, and in order to expedite the transition from violence to democracy.
The tragic events of last Saturday in Omagh were carried out by those who would defy the democratic voice of our people and who want to
frustrate a society seeking to live together in honourable accommodation for the first time in decades, perhaps centuries.
It is that which marks the difference between this crisis and others we have experienced in the past.
This time we have a firm basis for progress. One endorsed by both sections of the community. I am sure that the greater number of people want to see those engaged in violence, or who equivocate about it, marginalised, and want to see us proceed together.
That imposes obligations on us all. I hope that those who have been tardy in fulfilling their obligations now do so.
I know that the Ulster Unionist Party will continue to strive to bring about the Northern Ireland at ease with itself and its neighbours.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/086
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
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