Eames calls on communities to 'ensure calm'

Following on from Monday's statement from the Loyalist Commission, the Church of Ireland Primate has appealed to republicans and nationalists to make similar moves to "ensure calm" in their areas.

The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, last night welcomed the response from the Loyalist Commission to his recent appeal for a period of calm. In doing so he appealed directly to nationalist and republicans.

“I now appeal to the leaders of republican and nationalist areas to seek ways in which they too can encourage a period of calm. It is essential that leaders in both communities then seize that opportunity as an opportunity to reach agreement, which will hopefully end the violence in interfaces in Northern Ireland," he said.

“I pray that both communities may make the most of such an opportunity for the good of us all.”

On Monday, the Commission reacted to Archbishop Eames's call over the weekend, pledging to "do all it can to encourage a period of calm within loyalist communities", which they claimed had suffered from "relentless attacks as a direct consequence of republicans politically orchestrated tensions".

The Commission conceded that loyalist paramilitaries had been involved in the recent unrest but qualified their involvement as motivated from "a defensive capacity".

The statement went on to blame the police, saying "there would be no need for their involvement if the PSNI were doing their job."

The statement concluded: "Honest and sincere communication across our communities can replace the blame game and the propaganda issued in support of unacceptable behaviour on both sides."

However, nationalist and republican representatives have reacted coolly to the Commission's statement.

Sinn Fein assembly member for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly said: "We have had statement from the Loyalist Commission in the past such as the so-called 'no first strike' policy which was almost immediately found to be worthless.

"Unfortunately nationalists will greet this latest statement with great scepticism based on the action of loyalist paramilitary groups over the summer. Word and deed are equally important. What we must have is calm within which dialogue can take place."

SDLP MLA Alban Maginness was dubious that the statement would make any substantive change to the continuing street violence.

"Over the summer we have witnessed a bloody campaign of violence and intimidation carried out by loyalists against the nationalist community. This statement will offer little comfort to that beleaguered community.

"While there may be some within the loyalist commission acting in good faith, it is doubtful whether the statement will make any real difference to people on the ground."

(GMcG)