Sinn Féin News , 3. Mai 2007
Expected UVF statement released
Full UVF statement below
The unionist sectarian murder gang, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) also
known as the Red Hand Commando announced today that it would puts its arms
beyond "reach" and take on a "civilianised" role in society. The group
murdered more than 500 people during the conflict including the lives of 33
people in bomb attacks in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974.
The statement was read by Gusty Spence, who helped found the modern day UVF
in 1966. It declared a ceasefire 13 years ago, but since then its members
have been blamed for more than 20 murders.
Speaking in Fernhill House in west Belfast on Thursday, Gusty Spence said
that from midnight, the UVF and the Red Hand Commando, "will assume a
non-military, civilianised role".
As part of this move, he said the organisation had implemented a number of
measures to deal with what it called the "transformation from a military to
a civilian organisation".
These include an end to all recruitment, training and targeting, and all
so-called "active service units" have been de-activated.
Direct Ruler Peter Hain said the decision was further proof that the North
was moving into a new and positive era.
He said: "There must be delivery, there must be decommissioning, but there
is a momentum carrying Northern Ireland forward and loyalism needs to be
part of that."
He said: "For our part, we have always maintained that we will encourage and
support those who want to work to a positive agenda and following through on
today`s announcement will be good for loyalism and good for the wider
community."
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams described the UVF move as another important
step in the peace process but noted that the group stopped short of
decommissioning.
"It is another critical step. It vindicates Sinn Fein`s long-held view about
making politics work."
But he added: "For many people it won`t go far enough."
Mr Adams referred to the fact that up to 100 republicans were recently told
their details were in the hands of the UVF and their lives were in danger.
On the issue of loyalist decommissioning, he said: "I just think this is a
process and let`s just take this one step, one day at a time.
"Every time a group like the UVF is moving forward, whatever the judgment
from our point of view, then it has to be measured and responded to in a
positive way."
Speaking at a news conference in Dublin to launch his party`s general
election candidates in the capital, he also referred to today`s meeting
between Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness and the British Chancellor in Edinburgh.
"These are all significant, important building blocks as we seek to bed down
the process."
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Fred Cobain welcomed the decision not to
remain a paramilitary organisations but also urged botb groups to destroy
their weapons.
The North Belfast MLA said: "While we do not know what precisely is meant by
the statement in relation to weapons, we have consistently urged engagement
with the IICD as the only way of dealing finally with this issue.
SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginness also insisted the UVF needs to destroy
its arsenal of weapons.
Full UVF statement
The full statement by the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando
Command Staff reads:
"Following a direct engagement with all units and departments of our
organisation, the leadership of the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand
Commando today make public the outcome of our three-year consultation
process.
We do so against a backdrop of increasing community acceptance that the
mainstream republican offensive has ended; that the six principles upon
which our ceasefire was predicated are maintained; that the principle of
consent has been firmly established and thus, that the Union remains safe.
We welcome recent developments in securing stable, durable democratic
structures in Northern Ireland and accept as significant, support by the
mainstream republican movement of the constitutional status quo.
Commensurate with these developments, as of twelve midnight, Thursday May 3
2007, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando will assume a
non-military, civilianised, role.
To consolidate this fundamental change in outlook we have addressed the
methodology of transformation from a military to civilian organisation by
implementing the following measures in every operational and command area:
:: All recruitment has ceased;
:: Military training has ceased;
:: Targeting has ceased and all intelligence rendered obsolete;
:: All Active Service Units have been de activated;
:: All Ordnance has been put beyond reach and the IICD instructed
accordingly.
We encourage our volunteers to embrace the challenges which continue to face
their communities and support their continued participation in non-military
capacities. We reaffirm our opposition to all criminality and instruct our
volunteers to cooperate fully with the lawful authorities in all possible
instances.
Moreover, we state unequivocally, that any volunteer engaged in criminality
does so in direct contravention of Brigade Command and thus we welcome any
recourse through due process of law. All volunteers are further encouraged
to show support for credible restorative justice projects so that they, with
their respective communities, may help eradicate criminality and anti-social
behaviour in our society.
We ask the government to facilitate this process and remove the obstacles
which currently prevent our volunteers and their families from assuming full
and meaningful citizenship.
We call on all violent dissidents to desist immediately and urge all
relevant governments and their security apparatus to deal swiftly and
efficiently with this threat. Failure to do so will inevitably provoke
another generation of loyalists towards armed resistance.
We have taken the above measures in an earnest attempt to augment the return
of accountable democracy to the people of Northern Ireland and as such, to
engender confidence that the constitutional question has now been firmly
settled.
In doing so we reaffirm the legitimacy of our tactical response to violent
nationalism, yet reiterate the sincere expression of abject and true remorse
to all innocent victims of the conflict.
Brigade Command salutes the dedication and fortitude of our officers, NCOs
and volunteers throughout the difficult, brutal years of armed resistance.
We reflect with honour on those from our organisation who made the ultimate
sacrifice; those who endured long years of incarceration and the loyal
families who shared their suffering and supported them throughout.
Finally we convey our appreciation for the honest forthright exchange with
officers, NCOs and volunteers throughout the organisation over the past
three years which has allowed us to assume with confidence the position we
adopt today.
For God and Ulster
Captain William Johnston; Adjutant."
