NO PLANS FOR EARLY RECALL OF ASSEMBLY
No plans for early recall of Assembly
Trimble tells PM to match Eire lead
By MERVYN PAULEY
REQUESTS for the recall of the Northern Ireland Assembly in the wake of the Omagh bombing have been turned down.
The decision was taken yesterday by Presiding Officer Lord Alderdice and supported by First Minister David Trimble and his deputy, Seamus Mallon. It was based on the advice of an all-party Assembly committee.
A spokesman for Mr Trimble confirmed the move and said the Assembly would return on September 14, as originally planned.
The Ulster Unionist leader has called on Tony Blair to arrange for the urgent recall of the Westminster Parliament to push through anti-terrorist measures similar to those being introduced by Dublin, where the Dail is being recalled early.
He told the Prime Minister in a letter, the text of which was released yesterday, that while he publicly welcomed the Dublin package, he was concerned that the British Government's response "should be no less forceful".
Mr Trimble said: "It is imperative that your citizens in Omagh, and throughout Northern Ireland, see their Government acting as decisively as the government of the Irish Republic."
He said he was aware of proposals by the RUC Chief Constable which would strengthen his ability to counter the new terrorist threat. One involved changes to UK law that would allow the opinion of a senior police officer to be treated as evidence when considering certain offences.
Mr Trimble said: "While I have some doubts as to the effectiveness of this, I nonetheless believe that we must be seen to be complementing what is being enacted in the Irish Republic.
"In addition, I am absolutely convinced of the necessity of reinstating the power of internment as an option."
He urged "consistency of action" throughout the British Isles and Parliament's recall to give effect to parallel anti-terrorist legislation.
He told Mr Blair: "We must at all costs avoid the potential situation of known terrorists from the Republic fleeing to Northern Ireland for sanctuary from the Republic's new measures."
DUP justice spokesman Ian Paisley Jnr yesterday questioned London's stance and said it must demand immediate arms decommissioning.
"The concessions to terrorism in the Belfast agreement have seriously compromised Tony Blair's ability to 'get tough' with terrorists," he insisted.
He described the security measures adopted since the Co Tyrone tragedy as a "sad farce" and warned: "They will not prevent another Omagh."
The vetoing of calls for a recall of the Assembly comes as Ireland - north and south - prepares to fall silent today in solemn acts of remembrance in virtually every major city and town.
Up to 20,000 people are expected in Omagh for a special act of remembrance and a minute's silence for the dead and injured.
Some Northern Ireland politicians have been arguing that an early sitting at Stormont could signal a determination by all sides to give the sort of leadership needed to restore confidence in a shattered community.
Sinn Fein national chairman Mitchel McLaughlin suggested an early recall would be appropriate.
He said yesterday: "Those who see a political alternative need now to commit themselves to delivering that political alternative.
"David Trimble and Seamus Mallon should either reconvene the Assembly or the leaders of the various groupings, so we can begin the process as urgently as possible."
Trimble tells PM to match Eire lead
By MERVYN PAULEY
REQUESTS for the recall of the Northern Ireland Assembly in the wake of the Omagh bombing have been turned down.
The decision was taken yesterday by Presiding Officer Lord Alderdice and supported by First Minister David Trimble and his deputy, Seamus Mallon. It was based on the advice of an all-party Assembly committee.
A spokesman for Mr Trimble confirmed the move and said the Assembly would return on September 14, as originally planned.
The Ulster Unionist leader has called on Tony Blair to arrange for the urgent recall of the Westminster Parliament to push through anti-terrorist measures similar to those being introduced by Dublin, where the Dail is being recalled early.
He told the Prime Minister in a letter, the text of which was released yesterday, that while he publicly welcomed the Dublin package, he was concerned that the British Government's response "should be no less forceful".
Mr Trimble said: "It is imperative that your citizens in Omagh, and throughout Northern Ireland, see their Government acting as decisively as the government of the Irish Republic."
He said he was aware of proposals by the RUC Chief Constable which would strengthen his ability to counter the new terrorist threat. One involved changes to UK law that would allow the opinion of a senior police officer to be treated as evidence when considering certain offences.
Mr Trimble said: "While I have some doubts as to the effectiveness of this, I nonetheless believe that we must be seen to be complementing what is being enacted in the Irish Republic.
"In addition, I am absolutely convinced of the necessity of reinstating the power of internment as an option."
He urged "consistency of action" throughout the British Isles and Parliament's recall to give effect to parallel anti-terrorist legislation.
He told Mr Blair: "We must at all costs avoid the potential situation of known terrorists from the Republic fleeing to Northern Ireland for sanctuary from the Republic's new measures."
DUP justice spokesman Ian Paisley Jnr yesterday questioned London's stance and said it must demand immediate arms decommissioning.
"The concessions to terrorism in the Belfast agreement have seriously compromised Tony Blair's ability to 'get tough' with terrorists," he insisted.
He described the security measures adopted since the Co Tyrone tragedy as a "sad farce" and warned: "They will not prevent another Omagh."
The vetoing of calls for a recall of the Assembly comes as Ireland - north and south - prepares to fall silent today in solemn acts of remembrance in virtually every major city and town.
Up to 20,000 people are expected in Omagh for a special act of remembrance and a minute's silence for the dead and injured.
Some Northern Ireland politicians have been arguing that an early sitting at Stormont could signal a determination by all sides to give the sort of leadership needed to restore confidence in a shattered community.
Sinn Fein national chairman Mitchel McLaughlin suggested an early recall would be appropriate.
He said yesterday: "Those who see a political alternative need now to commit themselves to delivering that political alternative.
"David Trimble and Seamus Mallon should either reconvene the Assembly or the leaders of the various groupings, so we can begin the process as urgently as possible."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/090
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
Related Images
