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DUP calls on Kerry to clarify his N.Ireland position
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| Contributor | Some say... |
| Last Edited | Some say... Jun 02, 2004 06:56pm |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Wednesday, June 2, 2004 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | All DUP MPs and MLAs have signed an open letter to Senator John Kerry calling on him to clarify his position on Northern Ireland ahead of the US election by making it clear that it is the refusal of the IRA to give up its weapons, is the main obstacle to any agreement on forming a new Government.
In February, John Kerry, who has made it clear the Northern Ireland will be one of his priorities, suggested that there was a moral equivalence in Northern Ireland politics between IRA/Sinn Fein and the DUP. He stated, "The DUP cannot be permitted to disenfranchise half the population of Northern Ireland by refusing to form a government with Sinn Fein."
However, the letter to Senator Kerry states,
"Our position on this has been very clear; we are happy to form a Government with any parties that are committed to a peaceful, democratic, political process. We do not want to form a Government with a Party that has links with a terrorist organisation that has explicitly refused to give up its weapons."
The letter asks, "Senator Kerry, in speech after speech you have made it clear that you will continue to wage war on terrorism. We welcome that. But how are you able to reconcile this with your condemnation of our reluctance to join a Government with an organisation that has links to a terrorist organisation?" Surely there is a serious contradiction here? Is it your view that we are wrong to take this position?"
Commenting on the letter, Gregory Campbell, DUP MP for East Londonderry, said,
"John Kerry has said that Northern Ireland will be one of his priorities if he wins the election. It may be that he could play a constructive role but first he needs to make it clear that there is no moral equivalence between our position and the position of IRA/Sinn Fein. Our position is simple - we will not countenance going into Government with Sinn Fein while the IRA retains its guns and bombs. What is Senator Kerry's position?"
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