SECURITY CLAMPDOWN RECEIVES MIXED RECEPTION
Security clampdown receives mixed reception
THE tough new security measures announced by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in Omagh on Tuesday to curb the threat of paramilitaries have been given a lukewarm response by local unionist politicians and branded as unacceptable by Sinn Fein.
In an announcement made outside the shattered buildings in Market Street, the premier gave details of the "Draconian and fundamental"
changes to the laws which were aimed at tackling head on dissident groups such as the Real IRA, who claimed responsibility for the Omagh massacre.
Mr Blair also announced that the House of Commons would be recalled next Wednesday to push through the new legislation. The Dail in Dublin is also to be recalled on the same day to enact the Irish Government's similarly hardline measures revealed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern the previous week.
The principle new measure proposed is a change in the law to allow the use of evidence from a senior police officer to secure convictions against members of banned organisations.
It will also be possible to draw any inference of guilt from a suspect's refusal to answer relevant questions during interrogation.
Mr Blair said the British and Irish Governments were working more closely now than ever before.
"We know we are dealing now with groups prepared to carry out outrages such as this, who have no political support, no base, no votes, no representation in any part of the community.
"They are in a real sense, in the whole of the island of Ireland outcasts from the community, and people rightly expect that we will take whatever measures we can, properly and legitimately to bring those responsible to justice."
The Prime Minister added: "I have seen for myself today not merely the terrible damage that this terrible outrage resulted in.
"I've seen and I've felt too, the spirit that there is here and not just in Omagh, but in the whole of Northern Ireland, to make sure that the future
contains no more Omaghs, no more terrorist outrages, no more killings and maimings of innocent people, but that we build the future of peace and hope and prosperity that people here in Northern Ireland deserve and that the whole of the world wants to see as their future."
However West Tyrone MP, Willie Thompson, immediately slammed the announcement as 'too little, too late'.
He said that the 'great weakness' of the new measures was that internment had not been restored to the statute book in the UK.
"I have no doubt that if we had that particular power both in Northern Ireland and the Republic, it would be a lot easier to beat terrorism."
He criticised Mr Blair's intimation that only stipulated groups would be affected by the crackdown in the new legislation.
"You can rest assured it will not apply to the Provisional IRA or Sinn Fein because the Government has already been influenced by their reaction and doesn't want to rock the boat."
"Sinn Fein/IRA still has an unreasonable influence on the present British Government."
However SDLP West Tyrone assemblyman and local councillor, Joe Byrne broadly welcomed the Prime Minister's statement although warning that the measures had to be implemented in an effective and balanced manner.
"I think it is fair to say that certainly nationalists north and south of the border, because of the enormity of this atrocity, are willing to accept more effective and balanced security measures especially now that we do have new political structures coming into being that do need the necessary period to get off and running."
He had always believed that there 'should not be a chink of difference' between the British and Irish Governments' responses to security matters.
But Mr Byrne's fellow councillor. DUP Assemblyman, Oliver Gibson, whose niece was among those killed in the bomb, said he did not believe the two Governments had the political will to take effective action.
He said there had been a litany of previous atrocities in the area, but no effective security response.
"We have heard strong words of draconian measures from Prime Ministers before. There is a will among the people that the two Governments genuinely act, but at the moment I am not convinced they have the political will or the political skill to deliver good order which is essential for democracy.
"The greatest gift the victims of Omagh could have is good order and a peaceful life. To get that you must have effective action." said the local DUP representative.
Sinn Fein meanwhile have denounced Mr Blair's security package as 'repressive' and warned that such legislation is not the way forward.
Mid-Ulster MP, Martin McGuinness, who along with party leader Gerry Adams met with the British premier on Tuesday, claimed new laws could jeopardise the peace process.
"The way forward is through political leaders getting together and talking together. They must respond to the very clear mood that is out there and that is for political dialogue."
Mr McGuinness warned that the British Government's move would have grave implications for the community and 'run the risk that innocent people would be put in prison'.
He claimed the RUC was the 'most discredited police force in western Europe' and the new laws would represent a massive over-reaction.
Mr McGuinness said the most potent weapon was the views of the people, particularly republicans who were appalled at the Omagh bombing and who wanted to give the peace process a chance.
THE tough new security measures announced by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in Omagh on Tuesday to curb the threat of paramilitaries have been given a lukewarm response by local unionist politicians and branded as unacceptable by Sinn Fein.
In an announcement made outside the shattered buildings in Market Street, the premier gave details of the "Draconian and fundamental"
changes to the laws which were aimed at tackling head on dissident groups such as the Real IRA, who claimed responsibility for the Omagh massacre.
Mr Blair also announced that the House of Commons would be recalled next Wednesday to push through the new legislation. The Dail in Dublin is also to be recalled on the same day to enact the Irish Government's similarly hardline measures revealed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern the previous week.
The principle new measure proposed is a change in the law to allow the use of evidence from a senior police officer to secure convictions against members of banned organisations.
It will also be possible to draw any inference of guilt from a suspect's refusal to answer relevant questions during interrogation.
Mr Blair said the British and Irish Governments were working more closely now than ever before.
"We know we are dealing now with groups prepared to carry out outrages such as this, who have no political support, no base, no votes, no representation in any part of the community.
"They are in a real sense, in the whole of the island of Ireland outcasts from the community, and people rightly expect that we will take whatever measures we can, properly and legitimately to bring those responsible to justice."
The Prime Minister added: "I have seen for myself today not merely the terrible damage that this terrible outrage resulted in.
"I've seen and I've felt too, the spirit that there is here and not just in Omagh, but in the whole of Northern Ireland, to make sure that the future
contains no more Omaghs, no more terrorist outrages, no more killings and maimings of innocent people, but that we build the future of peace and hope and prosperity that people here in Northern Ireland deserve and that the whole of the world wants to see as their future."
However West Tyrone MP, Willie Thompson, immediately slammed the announcement as 'too little, too late'.
He said that the 'great weakness' of the new measures was that internment had not been restored to the statute book in the UK.
"I have no doubt that if we had that particular power both in Northern Ireland and the Republic, it would be a lot easier to beat terrorism."
He criticised Mr Blair's intimation that only stipulated groups would be affected by the crackdown in the new legislation.
"You can rest assured it will not apply to the Provisional IRA or Sinn Fein because the Government has already been influenced by their reaction and doesn't want to rock the boat."
"Sinn Fein/IRA still has an unreasonable influence on the present British Government."
However SDLP West Tyrone assemblyman and local councillor, Joe Byrne broadly welcomed the Prime Minister's statement although warning that the measures had to be implemented in an effective and balanced manner.
"I think it is fair to say that certainly nationalists north and south of the border, because of the enormity of this atrocity, are willing to accept more effective and balanced security measures especially now that we do have new political structures coming into being that do need the necessary period to get off and running."
He had always believed that there 'should not be a chink of difference' between the British and Irish Governments' responses to security matters.
But Mr Byrne's fellow councillor. DUP Assemblyman, Oliver Gibson, whose niece was among those killed in the bomb, said he did not believe the two Governments had the political will to take effective action.
He said there had been a litany of previous atrocities in the area, but no effective security response.
"We have heard strong words of draconian measures from Prime Ministers before. There is a will among the people that the two Governments genuinely act, but at the moment I am not convinced they have the political will or the political skill to deliver good order which is essential for democracy.
"The greatest gift the victims of Omagh could have is good order and a peaceful life. To get that you must have effective action." said the local DUP representative.
Sinn Fein meanwhile have denounced Mr Blair's security package as 'repressive' and warned that such legislation is not the way forward.
Mid-Ulster MP, Martin McGuinness, who along with party leader Gerry Adams met with the British premier on Tuesday, claimed new laws could jeopardise the peace process.
"The way forward is through political leaders getting together and talking together. They must respond to the very clear mood that is out there and that is for political dialogue."
Mr McGuinness warned that the British Government's move would have grave implications for the community and 'run the risk that innocent people would be put in prison'.
He claimed the RUC was the 'most discredited police force in western Europe' and the new laws would represent a massive over-reaction.
Mr McGuinness said the most potent weapon was the views of the people, particularly republicans who were appalled at the Omagh bombing and who wanted to give the peace process a chance.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0151
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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