The Hindu : Hardliners reject Ulster initiative

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 15, 2002

International

International

Hardliners reject Ulster initiative

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON NOV. 14. A fresh attempt by the British and Irish Governments to resolve the political crisis in Northern Ireland has run into rough weather with hardline Unionists rejecting an invitation to `peace' talks in Belfast next week.

The hawkish Democratic Unionist Party made it clear that it had no faith in the agreement which it believes has simply helped Republicans gain political legitimacy without while allowing them to keep their guns.

The Republicans, on the other hand, insisted equally vehemently that they would not agree to any review of the accord. Senior Sinn Fein leader, Martin McGuinness, said there was "no question of a renegotiation of the agreement'', and in a stand that contrasts sharply with the Unionist view he wanted the suspended Assembly and the Government to be restored to pave the way for a resolution of "all outstanding issues.''

Even moderate Unionists led by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) ruled out a compromise with Republicans unless the IRA was disbanded, but there was no immediate comment on whether they would attend the proposed talks. David Trimble, leader of the UUP and head of the suspended Government, was reported to be under pressure from his own party hardliners not to agree to a political truce with Republicans so long as the basic issue of IRA's disarmament was not resolved.

Republicans have already rejected calls for IRA to wind up saying it would not act under "threats of ultimatums''— and in a calculated rebuff the IRA has dramatically suspended contacts with the independent international arms inspection body, headed by Gen John de Chastelain, after it supervised two acts of decommissioning. The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair's warning that the peace process cannot succeed if Republicans continue to be "half in, and half out'' of it has prompted Sinn Fein and IRA to accuse his Government of trying to appease the Unionists.

The new Northern Ireland Secretary, Paul Murphy, and his Irish counterpart, Brian Cowen, said the talks were aimed at identifying the "key issues'' and "areas of agreement'' among the rival parties.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Iraq's neighbours hope war will be averted

'New Pak. members must swear allegiance to statute changes'

U.S. aware of Pak. role?

U.S. feels Osama tape is genuine

Relief over Saddam stance

Hardliners reject Ulster initiative

'Schroeder Govt. incompetent'

Pak. national faces execution

Ranil, Balasingham to review progress in peace process