Allister tells Brussels to stay clear of terrorist shrine Prompted by reports that the DUP and Sinn Fein delivering something which shall severely set back will do a deal to preserve the “conflict resolution relations in Northern Ireland.” centre” (official speak for terrorist shrine) at the Maze, while not proceeding with the Stadium, and Having perceived the possible content of the that such might be funded from Europe, DUP/Sinn Fein deal on the Maze, back on 6 August Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister raised the Jim Allister wrote to First Minister Robinson in the issue at the start of the first sitting of the new following terms:- term of the European Parliament in Brussels. “In regard to the future of Referring to the fact that the the Maze site, can you assure project had been cited me that the so-called "centre approvingly in the EU Task for conflict transformation" Force Report and deliberately will not proceed. I trust we using the language of Nigel are agreed that no project Dodds MP from a statement in capable of glorifying June 2007, Mr Allister said, terrorism warrants support “However it is dressed up, and that the inextricable link whatever spin is deployed, the between this proposal and preservation of a section of the retention of the foolishly the H-Blocks – including the hospital wing – would listed buildings at the Maze would attach to any become a shrine to the terrorists who committed such centre this ignominious role. suicide in the Maze in the 1980s. That would be obnoxious to the vast majority of people and is Perhaps, therefore, you could advise me on what something unionist people cannot accept.” steps have been taken to reverse previous In the course of his remarks the TUV Leader said:- departmental support for this objectionable centre and can you assure me that with or “The EU, often with good intentions, shows without the Maze stadium proceeding, this centre interest in Northern Ireland. However, today I will not be built.” warn it against funding a project of immense divisive potential. I refer to the foolish embracing There has been a deafening silence from the First in the EU Task Force Report, at the behest of the Minister. The key question is "How did a DUP DUP/Sinn Fein leaders of the Northern Ireland First Minister permit such a proposition to go to Executive, of possible support for a so called Brussels and be part of what is in the Task “conflict resolution centre” at the site of the Force Report?" former prison at the Maze. With or without the stadium it is utterly However it is dressed up, whatever spin is unacceptable that a "conflict transformation deployed, the preservation of a section of the centre", based on the H-Blocks, proceeds. It H-Blocks – including the hospital wing – would inevitably, as the DUP formerly recognised, would become a shrine to the terrorists who committed become a republican shrine for the hunger suicide in the Maze in the 1980s. That would be strikers and their other terrorist butchers. If obnoxious to the vast majority of people and is housing is added to such a site then it will be so something unionist people cannot accept. branded by the shrine as to become a cold house for unionist house buyers. Slowly, but surely, the Thus I caution the Commission against itself Maze area itself would be transformed into a meddling with such an explosive issue and being republican hub. used by those anxious to hide behind the EU in So, Army Council and Stormont Executive in same position– Allister Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister As the IMC appears to be able to pronounce on these matters with such certainty perhaps they "The IMC Report, despite all its Jesuitical could enlighten us as to when and where the verbiage, is unable to say the IRA Army Council is Army Council last met and who was there? The gone – in spite of the fact that the DUP told us it IRA is an illegal terrorist organisation stained would have to go before they entered with the blood of thousands of innocent men, government with their political wing. women and children. The duty of government and its agencies is to pursue them for the vile If the IRA's terrorist intent is at an end, then why crimes they committed, rather than downplaying does the Army Council still exist? What is its the telling fact that their wicked Army Council purpose? The NI Executive is no longer still exists. "operational or functional", yet one would hardly deny that it exists! The Executive remains in The IMC's pitiful whitewashing comments, place, but is not involved in political activity! following the brutal murder of Paul Quinn, Now, we are asked to believe the Army Council demonstrated to all who were interested that it remains in place but is involved in political had become yet another pawn of the political activity! What a wonderland we live in. process. Today's effort confirms its compliant role. Only when the gangsters of militant With neither an Army Council nor the Executive republicanism have been hunted down and to attend, one wonders what exactly IRA leaders brought to justice will the people of Northern are doing these days. McGuinness must have a lot Ireland know that a truly just peace has been of time for fishing! obtained." EU impotent in face of Russian aggression - Allister Speaking in a late night debate in the European over the divided mutterings of Europe. Parliament on the situation in Georgia, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister, described the EU's Without a robust response Russian aggression, I response as weak and ineffective. Noting the fear, will not end with Georgia. Is Ukraine next? absence of any sanctions coming out of the EU What will it take for those in the EU who willingly Council of Minister's meeting, Mr Allister said:- have made themselves dependent on Russian energy, to permit any effective response? "Its hard to avoid the conclusion that Europe is impotent in face of Russian aggression. The past few weeks have been an object lesson on the unworkability of a common foreign policy for Whereas condemnation has greeted Russia's the EU. It merely delivers the paralysis of annexation of parts of the sovereign state of conflicting vested interests, which has done Georgia, even the tone from within the EU has nothing to make security for Georgia or anywhere varied. The message of ambivalence will not be in the Caucasus any closer." lost on Moscow. It's hardly quaking in its boots DUP spinning in contradictory circles For months the DUP scriptwriters in DUP HQ have I read Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA is telling us, been spinning that without devolution we would "Even if devolution collapsed in the morning have an Irish Language Act imposed by and we were back living under direct rule from Westminster. This scare tactic has been used time London, the DUP is convinced there would be and time again to attack and villify those of us no Irish Language Act through Westminster." who dare to question the morality and politics of being in government with IRA/Sinn Fein. “Patently, the DUP does not even believe its own Moreover, it was one of the favourite figleaves to propaganda about the ILA! With every day that cover the volte face of March 2007. passes Belfast Agreement devolution and its prime proponent is seen as an Emperor with no clothes." “Yet, amazingly", said Mr Allister “in the Guardian Keep up-to-date with the latest news from Europe at www.jimallister.org Allister tells DUP to face reality - mandatory coalition is unworkable “It is time for the DUP to face reality. Belfast the sake of clinging to office. Agreement devolution has failed; mandatory coalition is unworkable. The DUP has a clear Recent events should demonstrate to even the choice – face reality and end the dysfunctional slowest learner the utter folly of ever believing charade at Stormont or go on feeding the Sinn Fein had any interest in delivering good insatiable demands of IRA/Sinn Fein. government to Northern Ireland, a state it does not believe in, nor can it bear to even speak its No matter how it is dressed up, conceding name. No self-respecting Unionist should hang policing and justice now will be seen for what it around this absurd system of government waiting is, abject surrender to the republican agenda for to be blackmailed by political thugs in suits.” Allister speaks out on 10th anniversary of Omagh massacre Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister MEP:- Sinn Fein failed to wholeheartedly urge and direct “As all of Northern Ireland, but particularly full co-operation with the police so that justice Omagh, remembers the dastardly republican might have been obtained through criminal massacre 10 years ago in Omagh, our thoughts, convictions. Sinn Fein’s equivocation and failure naturally, are with those so dreadfully bereaved. to do all it could, particularly back at the critical moment in 1998 and since, has been a huge At this difficult time I am sure the victims could contributor to the lack of justice for the Omagh well have done without the controversy visited victims. In 1998 they refused to urge people to upon them by the insensitivity of the local help the RUC. The product on the ground of areas Council. I greatly regret that the Sinn Fein they control demonstrates they are still holding dominated Omagh Council has put political back. expediency before the unvarnished truth by sanitising its memorial to let Just as in the Robert McCartney militant republicanism off the case, their fingerprints are all hook for this wanton mass over the non-cooperation which murder.