Ulster Unionism cannot afford to continue to self-destruct over decommissioning and devolution, Northern Ireland’s First Minister David Trimble warned his critics in the party.
Mr Trimble told the party’s annual conference in Belfast that with IRA decommissioning having begun, the party should be content to leave it to General John de Chastelain's disarmament commission.
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The UUP leader
Mr David Trimble. |
After hardliners succeeded in securing another meeting of the 860-member ruling council aimed at hardening the party policy on IRA disarmament, Mr Trimble argued: "Decommissioning has begun. We must continue. There must be a realistic date for the full implementation.
"On that basis we will be content to leave it to de Chastelain to fulfil his mandate. But as Bertie Ahern said last week, it will become an issue if nothing happens. In that context February will be significant.
"Remember too, it is time loyalism matched the IRA move. But the principle has been conceded.
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"I caution those who want everything done immediately. Don't make unionism pay an unnecessary price for what has to happen anyway.
"After September 11th anyone with any sense sees that the option of armed propaganda has been exploded."
Mr Trimble said that during the long hard struggle to secure decommissioning and devolution, he had done his best to keep the party fully informed of his plans at all levels.
There had been regular meetings of Northern Ireland Assembly members and MPs, of party officers and the UUP executive, he noted. UUP members endorsed his tactics at a meeting of the UUP executive two weeks ago and that body had ordered Assembly members to back his decision to return as Northern Ireland First Minister.
PA