Unionists need convinced of paramilitary intentions

The majority of the Unionist community remains to be convinced that paramilitaries will keep their bargain to end violence for good, a senior Ulster Unionist said today.

Former South Down MLA Dermot Nesbitt said the position of the Ulster Unionist Party was not one of unionism making demands upon Republicanism, "but an issue that goes to the very heart of democratic values, the protection of democracy against the threat of violence".

He added: "The Ulster Unionist Party has made much effort trying to secure for Northern Ireland what it deserves - the return of democracy to this part of the UK so that persons elected from Northern Ireland are accountable for decisions that affect every citizens' daily lives. I do not want to live in a failed community that cannot - like elsewhere in the democratic world - govern itself.

"Here in Northern Ireland, most people wish to live in peace with their neighbours while recognising the right of those neighbours to be different from a cultural, linguistic, educational or religious perspective. I believe that we have made real progress in endeavouring to resolve our problems."

Mr Nesbitt's comments came on the eve of a third meeting in recent weeks between UUP leader David Trimble and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams.

The meeting is likely to focus on efforts at brokering a deal in which local elections for the formation of a new power-sharing executive can take place.

Today's discussions follows Mr Adams' meeting with Secretary of State, Paul Murphy at Hillsborough Castle on Monday.

(MB)