Trimble calls for end to terrorism distinctions

UUP leader David Trimble has said that the British Government must end the distinction between domestic and international terrorism.

Speaking during a special debate in Parliament on October 4, he asked Tony Blair to use the same determination to tackle terrorism at home as well as abroad.

Mr Trimble said that “terrorism is terrorism and requires no further qualification”, and asked the Tony Blair to reject the “spurious distinction” often used when referring to international and domestic terrorism.

He went on to state that in his opinion, the recent arrests of suspected members of nationalist organisations in Colombia showed that republicans were part of an international network of terrorists, and that all parliamentary groups had broken the ceasefire in recent weeks and months.

Mr Trimble is to lead a motion at Stormont on October 8 for the exclusion of Sinn Fein from government, over the absence of disarmament.

Mr Blair responded by stating that the current impasse in the peace process in Northern Ireland exists because “it is necessary, that if people want to play a part in the government of Northern Ireland, that they demonstrate an unequivocal commitment to peaceful and democratic means.” (CD)