29/11/2001
Trimble under pressure to set decommissioning deadline
Anti-Agreement Ulster Unionists are pressuring party leader David Trimble to agree to include a three-month deadline in a motion on complete paramilitary decommissioning.
The motion to be put to the party’s ruling Council on Saturday calls for Sinn Féin to be shunned in the power sharing executive in the event that the IRA fail to enact total decommissioning, however the motion from Mr Trimble contains no mention of a timeline inside which this should occur.
Calling for support from UUP party members while Mr Trimble works within the executive to secure complete decommissioning, the current motion proposed is open ended as there is no mention of a deadline.
Anti-Agreement Ulster Unionists say there should be a compromise motion and UUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffery Donaldson has indicated that a consensus should be sought on how to address the decommissioning issue.
However, Mr Trimble told BBC Radio Ulster that while there was a “wide understanding” in the party that when dealing with the issue, care had to be taken with the tactics used even if those used so far had taken “longer than we would have wanted”.
While hardliners have managed to force through a meeting of the Ulster unionist Council, David Trimble has attempted to stay the hand of the party’s anti-Agreement faction by reassuring them that he will continue to seek decommissioning and will make a report to the Council in the spring of next year.
However, there is sure to be concern raised by Dr John Reid’s assertion that there is neither a deadline for the dissolution of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning nor on the tenure of General John de Chastelain. (SP)
The motion to be put to the party’s ruling Council on Saturday calls for Sinn Féin to be shunned in the power sharing executive in the event that the IRA fail to enact total decommissioning, however the motion from Mr Trimble contains no mention of a timeline inside which this should occur.
Calling for support from UUP party members while Mr Trimble works within the executive to secure complete decommissioning, the current motion proposed is open ended as there is no mention of a deadline.
Anti-Agreement Ulster Unionists say there should be a compromise motion and UUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffery Donaldson has indicated that a consensus should be sought on how to address the decommissioning issue.
However, Mr Trimble told BBC Radio Ulster that while there was a “wide understanding” in the party that when dealing with the issue, care had to be taken with the tactics used even if those used so far had taken “longer than we would have wanted”.
While hardliners have managed to force through a meeting of the Ulster unionist Council, David Trimble has attempted to stay the hand of the party’s anti-Agreement faction by reassuring them that he will continue to seek decommissioning and will make a report to the Council in the spring of next year.
However, there is sure to be concern raised by Dr John Reid’s assertion that there is neither a deadline for the dissolution of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning nor on the tenure of General John de Chastelain. (SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 March 2024
Other News In Brief
UUP Welcomes Lowering Of Terrorism Threat Level In NI The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed the news that MI5 has reduced the terrorism threat in NI from 'SEVERE' to 'SUBSTANTIAL'.
Other News In Brief
UUP Welcomes Lowering Of Terrorism Threat Level In NI The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed the news that MI5 has reduced the terrorism threat in NI from 'SEVERE' to 'SUBSTANTIAL'.
02 February 2024
Green Party Welcomes Decision To Save Promote Learning Disability Service
The Green Party has welcomed the decision by charity & social, Orchardville, to run the Promote Learning Disability Service in Bangor after it was under threat of closure. Although delighted by the news, Councillor McKee said that it was "disgraceful" that day opportunity placements for 52 adults were put under threat.
Green Party Welcomes Decision To Save Promote Learning Disability Service
The Green Party has welcomed the decision by charity & social, Orchardville, to run the Promote Learning Disability Service in Bangor after it was under threat of closure. Although delighted by the news, Councillor McKee said that it was "disgraceful" that day opportunity placements for 52 adults were put under threat.
13 February 2024
UUP Commands Efforts Of Health Minister To Address NICH
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has commended the efforts of party colleague and Health Minister, Robin Swann, to address the issues at Northern Ireland Children's Hospice (NICH).
UUP Commands Efforts Of Health Minister To Address NICH
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has commended the efforts of party colleague and Health Minister, Robin Swann, to address the issues at Northern Ireland Children's Hospice (NICH).
09 February 2024
Chief Constable Criticised For Not Inviting UUP To PNSI Graduation
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has criticised PNSI Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, for his failure to invite their party leader, Doug Beattie, to the PSNI Graduation Ceremony. UUP member of the Policing Board, Mike Nesbitt, said: "For the avoidance of doubt, I welcome the fact Michelle O'Neill MLA will attend in her capacity as First Minister.
Chief Constable Criticised For Not Inviting UUP To PNSI Graduation
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has criticised PNSI Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, for his failure to invite their party leader, Doug Beattie, to the PSNI Graduation Ceremony. UUP member of the Policing Board, Mike Nesbitt, said: "For the avoidance of doubt, I welcome the fact Michelle O'Neill MLA will attend in her capacity as First Minister.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.