Loyalists warned today that establishing a South African-style truth commission in Northern Ireland ahead of a final political settlement ran a real risk of re-igniting violent conflict.
They also said there was a deep suspicion among loyalists about republicans abusing any such truth process to suit their political agenda and using it as a "stick to beat the British state with".
As such, the process would be a convenient instrument to blame the British state and its "surrogates" for everything, providing justification for the republican war, they said.
Loyalists associated with the Progressive Unionist Party, Ulster Volunteer Force, Red Hand Commando and various community and ex-prisoner groups expressed their concerns in a consultative document on the possible truce process.
It was drawn up in response to recent discussion on the possibility of holding such a process in Northern Ireland, and following a fact-finding visit to South Africa by Northern Ireland secretary Mr Paul Murphy, where he examined how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission operated there.
Speaking at the launch in Belfast of Truth Recovery - a contribution from within loyalism - Ms Dawn Pervis of the PUP said it had been produced to articulate the views of a section of the loyalist community "to ensure our concerns are not ignored in any consultation progress".
Ms Pervis said it was "honest and realistic" and not just about who they were but what they could deliver within their current political context.
"It is the start of a process, I think it challenges and debates all the issues involved, but it is by no means complete," she said.
Community worker Ms Debbie Watters added: "Does a truth process really heal the hurts of the past or does it re-open old wounds?"
She asked how "middle unionism" would respond to a truth commission. Who is going to tell the truth, who is going to be open and honest enough to tell the truth. Are those who stood back and incited others to violence going to hold up their hands and say 'Yes I played a part in this and I want to tell the truth'.
Those who had been involved in loyalist paramilitarism were worried they would be "scapegoated" by those who had stood back, she added
The document was produced following two workshops during the summer. It said there was an obvious fear about the timing of any truth process.
PA