Irish Republican News, October 31, 2005
Flash: LVF stood down; feud declared over
The leadership of the Loyalist Volunteer Force tonight ordered all its
military units to stand down, according to reports.
The move, which takes effect from midnight, was described as a direct
response to the decision by the Provisional IRA to decommission its weapons
arsenal.
The organisation, which was formed by murdered paramilitary boss Billy
"King Rat" Wright after he was thrown out of the Ulster Volunteer Force in
1996, has been heavily involved in sectarian killings and drug dealing.
The LVF is the most openly sectarian of the unionist paramilitary
organisations, occasionally citing religious doctrine as backing for its
attacks on Catholic civilians, churchmen, politicians and business people.
Despite declaring a "ceasefire" in 1998, the LVF continued its sectarian
murder campaign under the guise of the Red Hand Defenders, a badge of
convenience used also by its allies in the UDA.
FEUD ENDS
The end of the LVF campaign followed the stated end today to its bloody
feud with its rivals in the UVF.
The feud, which has claimed the lives of five men, was declared over in a
statement released by the Loyalist Commission, a community-based group.
In the statement, the commission said it believed the feud between the LVF
and the UVF had permanently ended.
The group, which includes politicians, churchmen and paramilitaries, said
it had been holding mediation talks for some time to resolve the dispute.
The statement released by Rev. Mervyn Gibson, who was speaking on behalf
of other independent activists involved in the negotiations, said: "A
number of community and church activists have sought for some time to find
a resolution to the present LVF - UVF/RHC feud.
"The primary aim of the initiative was to stop further hurt and injury to
any person.
"A process of extensive talks was embarked upon independently with the
UVF/RHC and LVF.
"Those initiating the process had the encouragement of many within
political and community life and the prayer support of individuals and
churches. We now believe that the feud has permanently ended."
STATEMENT WELCOMED
The DUP's Nigel Dodds welcomed the news but said it came too late for the
bereaved families. The North Belfast MP said: "The ending of murder and
bloodshed on our streets will be particularly welcome in the north Belfast
area which has borne the brunt of the trouble.
"Communities have been set on edge and put into turmoil.
"I pay tribute to those who have worked so hard to bring this resolution
about.
"Let us hope and pray that this announcement will be evidenced on the
ground and that people's lives will return to normal."
