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16/09/2002
Reid denies ceasefire monitor is Trimble tactic
Secretary of State, Dr John Reid has denied that the planned appointment of an independent monitor of paramilitary violence is in any way to do with the forthcoming Ulster Unionist party ruling council meeting.
Many observers believe the move is the Government's way of securing rank and file party support for David Trimble at his forthcoming party meeting given that such a measure would put republicans under an added spotlight given recent violence in north Belfast.
However Dr Reid also said he could not understand why some were opposed to the idea.
Sinn Fein have said the appointment of a monitor not benefit the political process while the SDLP said the move would only provide a "competing judgement" to that of the Northern Ireland secretary.
In an interview with the BBC, Dr Reid added: "We are saying we have to go beyond a ceasefire, that that level of involvement is not acceptable. And one of the ways to put pressure on people is to put into the public domain exactly who is behind the violence.
"The assistant chief constable said last week that of the serious, lethal, sectarian violence, a significant majority is coming from loyalists.
"But there is involvement on the streets in violence by all of these paramilitary groups and there is an added obligation on the IRA because they are part of a movement which is in government."
Dr Reid confirmed that, in general, the IRA and UVF ceasefires were intact. However the ceasefires of both the UDA and LVF are still invalid.
(MB)
Many observers believe the move is the Government's way of securing rank and file party support for David Trimble at his forthcoming party meeting given that such a measure would put republicans under an added spotlight given recent violence in north Belfast.
However Dr Reid also said he could not understand why some were opposed to the idea.
Sinn Fein have said the appointment of a monitor not benefit the political process while the SDLP said the move would only provide a "competing judgement" to that of the Northern Ireland secretary.
In an interview with the BBC, Dr Reid added: "We are saying we have to go beyond a ceasefire, that that level of involvement is not acceptable. And one of the ways to put pressure on people is to put into the public domain exactly who is behind the violence.
"The assistant chief constable said last week that of the serious, lethal, sectarian violence, a significant majority is coming from loyalists.
"But there is involvement on the streets in violence by all of these paramilitary groups and there is an added obligation on the IRA because they are part of a movement which is in government."
Dr Reid confirmed that, in general, the IRA and UVF ceasefires were intact. However the ceasefires of both the UDA and LVF are still invalid.
(MB)
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Reid announces independent violence monitor
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11 June 2002
Reid warns 'no half-way house' for paramilitaries
The Secretary of State Dr John Reid has warned paramilitaries in Northern Ireland there can be no illusion of a “half-way house” between mass violence and politics. Dr Reid’s comments came after a week of serious rioting in east and south Belfast, among the worst sectarian street violence seen in many years.
Reid warns 'no half-way house' for paramilitaries
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12 October 2001
Reid declares UDA UVF and LVF ceasefires ended
The Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) ceasefires have been declared over by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid.
Reid declares UDA UVF and LVF ceasefires ended
The Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) ceasefires have been declared over by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid.
17 July 2001
SECRETARY OF STATE CALLS FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS TO TALK
SECRETARY of State Dr John Reid has called on residents to stand up against “sectarian hooligans” as violence took a turn for the worse on another successive night with several reports of gunmen taking to the streets of East Belfast. Dr Reid relayed his blunt message as he spoke to officers involved in policing the recent violence.
SECRETARY OF STATE CALLS FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS TO TALK
SECRETARY of State Dr John Reid has called on residents to stand up against “sectarian hooligans” as violence took a turn for the worse on another successive night with several reports of gunmen taking to the streets of East Belfast. Dr Reid relayed his blunt message as he spoke to officers involved in policing the recent violence.
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