CHALLENGE TO SINN FEIN OVER ITS LINKS WITH TERROR GROUP
Challenge to Sinn Fein over its links with terror group
By ROSS SMITH
AS Northern Ireland expressed its horror at yesterday's Madrid bombings, Sinn Fein was challenged to come clean about its links with Basque terror group ETA.
A political party said to be linked to the separatist organisation, which was blamed by Spanish ministers for the attacks, had a member present at Sinn Fein's Ard Fheis earlier this month.
Republicans denied that Euro MP Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso, of outlawed Basque political party Batasuna, was connected to ETA.
The DUP's European election candidate, Jim Allister, said: "Following the mass murder in Madrid, which bears all the hallmarks of ETA, I challenge Bairbre de Brun to spell out Sinn Fein/IRA's connections with ETA.
"If elected, will she co-operate in the European Parliament with the political representatives of ETA?"
He said the attacks demonstrate the "axis of international terrorism".
"It brings into sharp focus the relationship between Sinn Fein/IRA and their blood brothers in the Basque separatist movement."
His party leader, Ian Paisley, said: "The ETA terrorist movement is an international brother of Sinn Fein/IRA. The tactics and behaviour of these groups are one and the same.
"IRA/Sinn Fein and ETA have spent years exporting the business of terror and destruction to assist each other in their campaigns of violence."
Meanwhile, figures from across Ulster expressed their outrage at the atrocity and their sympathy for the victims.
Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was killed in the Omagh bombing, recently attended a conference in the Spanish capital organised by the Foundation for the Victims of Terrorism.
He said: "It's just unbelievable.
"It's particularly painful to hear that news. Our hearts and souls go out to all those families."
UUP leader David Trimble, who I was at the same event, added: "Through visits like this, I am well I aware of the threat posed by terrorism to Spain and have continuously expressed my solidarity with the Spanish people and their government.
"This event has dwarfed everything that has happened in recent Spanish history.
"However, it must clearly indicate the evils of terrorism to all sections of society and to those who carried out these actions."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "Those of us who believe in peace and democracy must both demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Madrid and continue to articulate our total opposition to all violence at all times. Those responsible for this attack must not win."
MLA Sean Farren added: "Those in Ireland who have any links or shown any sympathy for ETA and its associates cannot continue to maintain such links and must question their sympathy in the face of such barbarity."
Alliance MLA Seamus Close said the massacre was "an act of pure, unadulterated evil".
By ROSS SMITH
AS Northern Ireland expressed its horror at yesterday's Madrid bombings, Sinn Fein was challenged to come clean about its links with Basque terror group ETA.
A political party said to be linked to the separatist organisation, which was blamed by Spanish ministers for the attacks, had a member present at Sinn Fein's Ard Fheis earlier this month.
Republicans denied that Euro MP Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso, of outlawed Basque political party Batasuna, was connected to ETA.
The DUP's European election candidate, Jim Allister, said: "Following the mass murder in Madrid, which bears all the hallmarks of ETA, I challenge Bairbre de Brun to spell out Sinn Fein/IRA's connections with ETA.
"If elected, will she co-operate in the European Parliament with the political representatives of ETA?"
He said the attacks demonstrate the "axis of international terrorism".
"It brings into sharp focus the relationship between Sinn Fein/IRA and their blood brothers in the Basque separatist movement."
His party leader, Ian Paisley, said: "The ETA terrorist movement is an international brother of Sinn Fein/IRA. The tactics and behaviour of these groups are one and the same.
"IRA/Sinn Fein and ETA have spent years exporting the business of terror and destruction to assist each other in their campaigns of violence."
Meanwhile, figures from across Ulster expressed their outrage at the atrocity and their sympathy for the victims.
Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was killed in the Omagh bombing, recently attended a conference in the Spanish capital organised by the Foundation for the Victims of Terrorism.
He said: "It's just unbelievable.
"It's particularly painful to hear that news. Our hearts and souls go out to all those families."
UUP leader David Trimble, who I was at the same event, added: "Through visits like this, I am well I aware of the threat posed by terrorism to Spain and have continuously expressed my solidarity with the Spanish people and their government.
"This event has dwarfed everything that has happened in recent Spanish history.
"However, it must clearly indicate the evils of terrorism to all sections of society and to those who carried out these actions."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "Those of us who believe in peace and democracy must both demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Madrid and continue to articulate our total opposition to all violence at all times. Those responsible for this attack must not win."
MLA Sean Farren added: "Those in Ireland who have any links or shown any sympathy for ETA and its associates cannot continue to maintain such links and must question their sympathy in the face of such barbarity."
Alliance MLA Seamus Close said the massacre was "an act of pure, unadulterated evil".
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/499
Published Date: 12-Mar-04
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