SECURITY TOP OF AGENDA FOR BLAIR
Security top of agenda for Blair
By MERVYN PAULEY
TONY Blair will cross the border for talks with his Dublin counterpart Bertie Ahern after his return visit to Belfast today.
The Prime Minister, expected to stay overnight in the Province, will outline the Government's proposed new anti-terrorist measures in the wake of the Omagh bombing.
He plans to have talks with First Minister David Trimble and his deputy, Seamus Mallon, at Stormont, and to sound out other senior politicians on the state of the peace process.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said he would announce any decision on whether Parliament would be recalled to pass one of the new measures - making it easier to prove membership of an illegal organisation, based on the word of a senior police officer.
Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd would have to agree to a recall which, if it happened, would probably match the Dail's special session on anti-terrorist moves, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Most of the new steps announced by Dublin are covered by existing UK law.
Mr Blair's spokesman said the decision on a recall would be based on whether it would make the new measure on sworn police testimony more effective.
"We wouldn't want to recall Parliament unless it had to be done. We wouldn't do it just for the sake of it," he said.
Mr Blair, relevant ministers and law officers were last night engaged in final discussions on the issue. Mr Trimble has thrown his weight behind recall demands. Downing Street said the aim of Mr Blair's visit was to underline support for the Province and its people.
The Prime Minister would also be trying to "drive forward the political process". He planned to meet all the main political players.
Mr Blair will travel to Dublin tomorrow for his talks with Mr Ahern, who suggested the meeting in a telephone conversation on Sunday night.
The two men have been in regular contact since the Omagh bombing more than a week ago. They met in Northern Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the blast.
A Dublin spokesman said the aim of the latest exchanges would be to keep up the momentum on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
Last week Mr Ahern unveiled the toughest anti-terrorist security package in the history of the state as a direct consequence of the Omagh atrocity.
Alliance councillor Tom Campbell, a solicitor, yesterday called on the Government to reassure the public that any anti-terrorist measures would have inbuilt safeguards against the release of sensitive security material.
He said there was widespread support for strong measures after Omagh but he warned against "legal window-dressing" over the move to get convictions on the say-so of a senior police officer.
He feared highly sensitive security information, such as informer knowledge, might be exposed in the cross-examination of an officer.
By MERVYN PAULEY
TONY Blair will cross the border for talks with his Dublin counterpart Bertie Ahern after his return visit to Belfast today.
The Prime Minister, expected to stay overnight in the Province, will outline the Government's proposed new anti-terrorist measures in the wake of the Omagh bombing.
He plans to have talks with First Minister David Trimble and his deputy, Seamus Mallon, at Stormont, and to sound out other senior politicians on the state of the peace process.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said he would announce any decision on whether Parliament would be recalled to pass one of the new measures - making it easier to prove membership of an illegal organisation, based on the word of a senior police officer.
Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd would have to agree to a recall which, if it happened, would probably match the Dail's special session on anti-terrorist moves, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Most of the new steps announced by Dublin are covered by existing UK law.
Mr Blair's spokesman said the decision on a recall would be based on whether it would make the new measure on sworn police testimony more effective.
"We wouldn't want to recall Parliament unless it had to be done. We wouldn't do it just for the sake of it," he said.
Mr Blair, relevant ministers and law officers were last night engaged in final discussions on the issue. Mr Trimble has thrown his weight behind recall demands. Downing Street said the aim of Mr Blair's visit was to underline support for the Province and its people.
The Prime Minister would also be trying to "drive forward the political process". He planned to meet all the main political players.
Mr Blair will travel to Dublin tomorrow for his talks with Mr Ahern, who suggested the meeting in a telephone conversation on Sunday night.
The two men have been in regular contact since the Omagh bombing more than a week ago. They met in Northern Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the blast.
A Dublin spokesman said the aim of the latest exchanges would be to keep up the momentum on the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
Last week Mr Ahern unveiled the toughest anti-terrorist security package in the history of the state as a direct consequence of the Omagh atrocity.
Alliance councillor Tom Campbell, a solicitor, yesterday called on the Government to reassure the public that any anti-terrorist measures would have inbuilt safeguards against the release of sensitive security material.
He said there was widespread support for strong measures after Omagh but he warned against "legal window-dressing" over the move to get convictions on the say-so of a senior police officer.
He feared highly sensitive security information, such as informer knowledge, might be exposed in the cross-examination of an officer.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/102
Published Date: 25-Aug-98
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