Clinton urges Ulster parties to reach police powers deal

Published on Sunday 11 October 2009 22:24

US SECRETARY of state Hillary Clinton last night threw her weight behind calls for the Northern Ireland Assembly to take responsibility for running the region's justice system.

Mrs Clinton arrived in Dublin ahead of talks with political leaders in Belfast today on the economy and on the devolution of further powers from Westminster.

The politicians at Stormont are edging closer to a historic deal that could see unionists and republicans share responsibility for policing and justice in Northern Ireland.

"The step of devolution for policing and justice is an absolutely essential milestone," Mrs Clinton said in Dublin last night.

Sinn Fein has been pressing for movement on completing the devolution of powers, but the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said it will not agree to a deal until all issues are resolved.

The DUP has been accused of stalling the process in the face of hard-line voices opposed to a deal with republicans.

Mrs Clinton said: "Clearly, there are questions and some apprehensions but I believe that, due to the concerted effort of the British government, Irish government and support of friends like us in the US, that the parties understand this is a step they must take together.

"It will take the leaders of both communities working together to continue not only the devolution but then to make day-to-day governing a reality."

Meanwhile, the Irish National Liberation Army yesterday announced an end to its 30-year campaign of violence in Northern Ireland.

The organisation, responsible for some of the most infamous attacks of the Troubles, used a graveside oration outside Dublin to confirm its "armed struggle is over."

But there was uncertainty over whether or not the group, which has killed more than 100 people, was prepared to decommission its arsenal of weapons, after the statement read to supporters failed to promise a disposal of arms.

Confirmation that the splinter group is to formally end its campaign was announced by a representative of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, Martin McMonagle, who said: "The republican socialist movement has been informed by the INLA that, following a process of debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the armed struggle is over.

"The objective of a 32-county socialist republic will be best achieved exclusively through political, peaceful means."

He added the group continued to oppose the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 as a platform for achieving Irish unity but would restrict its opposition to peaceful means.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams welcomed the INLA statement, but added a note of caution. He said: "Given the history of the INLA, there will undoubtedly be some scepticism about today's statement.

"However, if it is followed by the actions that are necessary, this is a welcome development."

BRUTAL HISTORY

THE INLA, formed in 1974, was a brutally violent organisation that also engaged in bitter internal feuds.

In 1979, it claimed the life of shadow Northern Ireland secretary Airey Neave, a close associate of Margaret Thatcher. He was killed when a bomb exploded beneath his car at the House of Commons.

In 1982, the INLA was responsible for one of the largest death tolls of the Troubles when it murdered 17 people – 11 soldiers and six civilians – in a bomb attack on the Droppin' Well pub in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.

Three INLA men died in the republican hunger strikes of 1981 at the top security Maze prison