A considerable degree of unionist and nationalist hostility has been manifested to the action of Ulster Unionist Party MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson in tearing up a copy of the Framework Document at Lancaster House, London on Tuesday, and the chuckling which this prompted from Mr David Trimble.
Several callers, many of them stating they were unionists, contacted yesterday's edition of BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme complaining that their behaviour was in extremely bad taste when viewed in the context of the recent spiral of sectarian murders.
Television coverage of Mr Donaldson ripping a copy of the Framework Document and Mr Trimble's reaction, coming just before coverage of the emotional scenes at the funeral of Mr John McColgan provoked most of the offence.
David Dunseith, presenter of the Talkback current affairs programme, said there "were quite a number of calls" complaining about the incident. BBC said there were "dozens of calls" during the day.
One caller, describing herself as an east Belfast Protestant lady, typified the complaints to the programme. "Sir James Molyneaux must be cringing at the immaturity of his successor. It's time Jeffrey Donaldson realised that dignified diplomacy is more effective than childish outbursts," she said.
A woman called Norma, who said she was a Catholic but not a nationalist, found it "disgusting" that the UUP could "tear up documents, and sit and laugh while many innocent people are being murdered".
Notwithstanding that the UUP has condemned recent killings, another caller complained that the incident, when juxtaposed with broadcasts of the funeral, conveyed an image of unionist "arrogance in the face of bereavement". A serving RUC officer rang in with a statement saying: "I voted unionist, but I was absolutely and totally disgusted when I saw Jeffrey Donaldson tearing up the piece of paper on the news last night, and David Trimble laughing. This is really getting to me.
"It seems the only people who want this to end are the ones who have suffered. How could Jeffrey Donaldson and David Trimble behave like that, when we see bereaved families on our television screens night after night? My brother was murdered by the IRA, I know what these families are going through."
Another woman rang in to state that Mr Donaldson and Mr Trimble were entitled to their political opinion but coming at a time of spiralling sectarian killings their conduct at Lancaster House was objectionable. The majority of the callers complained about the incident although a minority was in sympathy with Mr Donaldson and Mr Trimble. One caller said it was better to rip up documents than to murder people.
Meanwhile, the UK Unionist MP, Mr Robert McCartney, has been informed that the talks at Castle Buildings, Stormont, in the period from the start of process, June 10th, 1996, to the end of November 1997 cost £4.27 million. As already reported, the Irish Government made a contribution of £1.36 million to cover its equal share of running costs, excluding the internal Strand One element of the talks for which the British government is liable.
The members of the parties to the talks have received £675,000, while the parties were allocated an additional £621,000 for allowances and research grants. Support staff received £108,000. The three independent chairmen and their aides received remuneration of £320,000, £255,000 for accommodation, £418,000 for travel, and £36,000 for subsistence.
Mr McCartney, referring to the cost of the talks, described them as a "dripping roast". The DUP justice spokesman, Mr Ian Paisley jnr, estimated the cost of moving the talks to Lancaster House in London for three days this week at around £250,000. He described the talks as a waste of time.
