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24/05/2002
North Belfast peace strategy rejected by Nationalists
Nationalists in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast have rejected a plan aimed at easing community tensions and sectarian violence.
The top ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive, First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan had drafted the plan, which had previously been accepted by Loyalist residents in the area.
Speaking after a meeting on Thursday, a spokesman for the Ardoyne residents said they could not accept the proposals for road re-alignment and a security wall.
Gerard McGuigan said the proposals could isolate them from the Holy Cross primary school, the scene of a tense three-month Loyalist blockade last year.
A wall would also be erected to protect Protestant homes right on the sectarian interface.
Speaking on Friday Mr McGuigan said these two key proposals would be seen by Nationalists as a victory for Loyalists who had protested in the area.
Last Friday the First Minister and Deputy First Minister distributed a set of proposals to community representatives, MLAs and residents.
The proposals are built on three key points - developing and building community dialogue; improving community safety – effectively realigning the roads which separate the two rival communities and building a security wall - and thirdly signing up to trust building principles.
Earlier in the week Loyalist residents from Glenbryn voted to accept the proposals during a meeting on Wednesday.
After the public meeting Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne representative Anne Bill said: “The people of Upper Ardoyne have endorsed these proposals. The only stumbling block was the question would these proposals really happen. Neither the First Minister nor the Deputy First Minister have said this is definitely going to happen. We are still at the proposal stage.
“That is why I would agree with Mark Coulter that this really is a leap of faith. We are trusting David Trimble and Mark Durkan to make this a reality and make life better for both communities.”
(AMcE)
The top ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive, First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan had drafted the plan, which had previously been accepted by Loyalist residents in the area.
Speaking after a meeting on Thursday, a spokesman for the Ardoyne residents said they could not accept the proposals for road re-alignment and a security wall.
Gerard McGuigan said the proposals could isolate them from the Holy Cross primary school, the scene of a tense three-month Loyalist blockade last year.
A wall would also be erected to protect Protestant homes right on the sectarian interface.
Speaking on Friday Mr McGuigan said these two key proposals would be seen by Nationalists as a victory for Loyalists who had protested in the area.
Last Friday the First Minister and Deputy First Minister distributed a set of proposals to community representatives, MLAs and residents.
The proposals are built on three key points - developing and building community dialogue; improving community safety – effectively realigning the roads which separate the two rival communities and building a security wall - and thirdly signing up to trust building principles.
Earlier in the week Loyalist residents from Glenbryn voted to accept the proposals during a meeting on Wednesday.
After the public meeting Concerned Residents of Upper Ardoyne representative Anne Bill said: “The people of Upper Ardoyne have endorsed these proposals. The only stumbling block was the question would these proposals really happen. Neither the First Minister nor the Deputy First Minister have said this is definitely going to happen. We are still at the proposal stage.
“That is why I would agree with Mark Coulter that this really is a leap of faith. We are trusting David Trimble and Mark Durkan to make this a reality and make life better for both communities.”
(AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Another cloudy and mild night with the odd spot of light drizzle. More widespread outbreaks of rain will spread southeast into western parts of Tyrone, Fermanagh and Derry late in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
