The Hindu : Reid calls for calm as Ulster rivals regroup

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Thursday, Jun 06, 2002

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International

Reid calls for calm as Ulster rivals regroup

By Hasan Suroor

Masked Loyalists block the road with hijacked vehicles in Belfast on Wednesday. - AFP

LONDON JUNE 5. The Northern Ireland Secretary, John Reid, today held what were described as "emergency'' talks with nationalist and loyalist leaders in a bid to restore peace in east Belfast, the scene of bitter sectarian clashes in the past four days.

For the first time since last Friday, no major incident was reported on Tuesday but the security forces attributed this to heavy rainfall and warned that tension remained amid indications that the two sides were regrouping.

There were fears of retaliation by loyalists who have been at the receiving end of much of the allegedly nationalist-inspired violence which has left many injured and caused extensive damage to property.

The trouble which apparently started when nationalists objected to loyalists putting up the Queen's golden jubilee buntings in Cluan Place, where the two communities live almost cheek by jowl, has been described as the worst since 1998, and is seen as an attempt by the IRA to re-assert itself vis-à-vis the more militant Real IRA. The latter has accused the IRA of "betraying'' the republican cause by agreeing to give up its weapons and join the peace process.

Dr. Reid spoke to the Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, after security sources suggested the IRA's heavy involvement in the disturbances.

"There's clear evidence that the Provisional IRA has been coordinating what is going on and has been bringing a mixture of weapons,'' an official told The Times claiming that there was video footage indicating the IRA's involvement. He expressed concern at attempts to turn east Belfast into another major flashpoint. Until now, north Belfast had been notorious for its poor community relations marred by frequent clashes between Catholic nationalists and Protestant loyalists in the area.

Dr. Reid appealed for calm in his talks with Mr. Adams, and David Ervine, leader of the loyalist Progressive Unionist Party whose paramilitary wing, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), has also been involved in the violence. "He spoke to Mr Adams and Mr Ervine to appeal to them to use whatever influence they could, to bring calm to the area and to look for dialogue,'' a spokesman for Dr. Reid said.

Another loyalist paramilitary outfit, the Ulster Defence Association (UDF) — the more militant of the loyalist armed groups — is also said to have been actively involved. The Government was reported to be concerned over renewed militancy among paramilitary groups on both sides, particularly so close to the annual marching season which is invariably marked by sectarian tension.

"The involvement of mainstream paramilitary groups, supposedly on ceasefire, is deeply embarrassing for Tony Blair's Government which has invested so much political capital in the peace process,'' The Guardian said.

However, despite widespread concern over this week's violence, observers said it was unlikely to have any long-term effect on the peace process as it had now gained a momentum of its own and could withstand occasional shocks.

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