Republican News · Thursday 25 September 2002

Reid monitor proposal panders to unionism

Sinn Féin Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin has responded to reports that British Secretary of State John Reid is shortly to announce details of his proposals for an independent auditor to monitor ceasefires.

"All along, Sinn Féin has stated that these proposals are outside the terms of the Good Friday Agreement and would be a retrograde step for the peace process," said McLaughlin. "The decision of the British government to go ahead with them is clear evidence of them pandering to unionism.

"Are the British government seriously telling us that they believe that following the introduction of these proposals, David Trimble will step forward to champion the Good Friday Agreement or that the 'no' men of unionism are going to remove their obstacles to change?"

McLaughlin added that he believed the proposal would not only undermine the peace process but would also be used by those within the British system who are totally opposed to change and who want to bring the Good Friday Agreement down.

McLaughlin has also challenged the British Secretary of State John Reid to 'practice what he preaches'.He made his remarks after Reid claimed during the week that a cease-fire auditor was required because people had a right to detailed and accurate information.

"Dr Reid this morning defended people's right to receive accurate information as a basis for his defence of the ceasefire auditor proposal," said McLaughlin. "I would challenge Mr Reid to practice what he preaches.

"If he is concerned about the public's right to information, then let him publish the Stevens, Stalker and Samson reports. Let him publish the details of the killing of Pat Finucane. Let him publish the forensic histories of the weapons used in recent loyalist killings.

"Up to this point, when dealing with reports into the activities of the RUC or other Crown forces under his control, who are not on cessation, secrecy and silence have been the guiding principles."