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Adams in truth body warning as PM meets Eames and Bradley
Friday, 23 January 2009
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Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has again warned against setting up any truth process that is “established by and answerable to the British Government”.
An article by the west Belfast MP appeared in the latest edition of the republican newspaper An Phoblacht yesterday as Lord Robin Eames and Denis Bradley briefed the Prime Minister and Secretary of State in No.10.
At the heart of now imminent proposals for dealing with Northern Ireland's violent past is a three-strong Legacy Commission, headed by an international chairman. The full report of the Consultative Group on the Past will be unveiled next Wednesday.
“Sinn Fein has concluded that the establishment of an Independent International Truth Commission is the best way of taking this forward,” Mr Adams wrote.
“But this cannot work if such a body is established by and answerable to the British Government,” he added.
The Sinn Fein President made similar comments in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph last November.
Lord Eames and former Policing Board vice-chairman Mr Bradley — co-chairs of the Consultative Group — were in London yesterday with officials to brief Prime Minister Brown and Secretary of State Woodward.
Their report comes at the end of a 19-month period of consultation, research and writing.
Yesterday, Mr Adams wrote: “The British State are protagonists in this conflict, they are not innocent observers.
“There are many victims' organisations that fear that the Eames-Bradley proposals will not recognise this reality and allow the British State to continue its policy to date of cover-up and concealment,” the article continued.
He wrote that one way of achieving an independent process would be to have an international inquiry. “The United Nations or another reputable agency could be involved,” he said.
The IRA did not meet the Eames-Bradley Consultative Group — and how next week’s proposals are interpreted will determine whether future republican co-operation with The Legacy Commission is possible.
It is thought there will be a significant period of debate after the report is published next week.
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CF, a little reminder, if you will, since you are into 'whataboutery' Robert Hamill, eleven million quid spent so far even before the enquiry began. Bloody Sunday, so far, 188 million and still rising lets see now Mr Hamill and fourteen people on Bloody Sunday equals fifteen people in all for a total (and still rising) of 198 million. Try this little exercise and let me know how much you think should be spent on finding out who commanded and carried out this lot. Poppy Day Massacre, 11 dead 64 injured, the Birmingham pubs carnage 21dead scores injured, Drop-in Well, 16 dead scores injured, The La Mon restaurant, 12 dead, 7of them women. I could go on and on, Bloody Friday etc but what’s the point? I know we will never get the truth about those responsible and they will never be brought to book. You lot are so addicted to myths washed down with a bottle of victim hood it’ll take generations to wean you off it.
Posted by Blazer | 25.01.09, 08:59 GMT
'Would you trust a STATE organisation(RUC/PSNI) ran by the Goverment who colluded with IRA to kill innocent people?'
So cf, you are suggesting that George shouldnt trust the Irish Government or the Gardai?
Posted by KeepYourMindFree | 23.01.09, 22:56 GMT
Plum - "I'm watching you"? What next? "I know where you live"?
Posted by maggie | 23.01.09, 19:22 GMT
“Sinn Fein has concluded that the establishment of an Independent International Truth Commission is the best way of taking this forward,” Mr Adams wrote.
“But this cannot work if such a body is established by and answerable to the British Government,” he added.
And WHY ever NOT? After all Ulster IS and ALWAYS will be British - and for those pedantics that state that the passport says Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the AND means INCLUDING. After all The Falkland Islanders are STILL British but they are on the other side of the world and it doesn't mention them in the passport.
Posted by Stuart | 23.01.09, 17:34 GMT
Plum - you're the one constantly making stupid comments - not just about this article!
There were atrocities on both sides, mistakes on both sides, nobody is blameless on either side! For Heaven's sake lets keep it all in the past while we try and deal with things happening now!
Posted by Willow | 23.01.09, 13:59 GMT
George Wilson - You go on about the Truth of Bloody Friday, what about the truth about the Robert Hamill case, Bloody Sunday, the endless stretch of killings were the RUC/PSNI colluded with the loyalists groups through out the north? Would you trust a STATE organisation(RUC/PSNI) ran by the Goverment who colluded with IRA to kill innocent people?
Were is the Truth about these killings/ 'massacres'?
Posted by cf | 23.01.09, 12:26 GMT
You've moved on then, have you, mickey-boy? Your constant sniping snidey drivel shows that you clearly have not, you sily silly boy. I'm watching you.
As for this artcile - it should be ignored as nonsense. There are much more important economic issues at stake rather than PR spin-masters at work over an issue that the world no longer cares about.
Posted by Plum | 23.01.09, 12:25 GMT
Billy for the (ahem) truth - what does an "Independent International Truth Commission" mean to you?
Depending on what we saw on the TV, read in the papers, had told to us by our family & peers - we all have our own subjective views on what went on or who did what to whom.
To me, it means needlessly dragging up the ancient history of NI's past - which would be better left there...in the past.
IMO, SF only wish to have this history resurface in an attempt to hijack the subconsciousness of the nationalist/republican community, in an attempt to inject a renewed flurry of anti-British or anti-Unionist feeling - a feeling which has undeniably been on the wane for a good few years now. SF is well aware that they need to 'fan the flames' every so often otherwise interest will continue to wane.
By all means, choose not to forget - but not at the total expense of moving on.
Posted by mickey | 23.01.09, 12:06 GMT
"Ever dog has their day" is the old saying. For years we have been hearing the slogan "Our day will come" by Sinn Fein and other Republicans. And this is indeed true their day will come. Although i think it has already come when you consider statistics like the equality Commision, a commision that is here for the very purpose of making the Northern Ireland workforce reflect the demographics of this place. What percentage of the workforce of this organization is Protestant? Some equality for Protestants in modern day Northern Ireland that is. Either way however just as sure as Sinn Fein/Republican's day will/has come so it will depart again and someone else will be their to have their day.
Posted by Robert | 23.01.09, 11:58 GMT
It will not matter a fig who this "Legacy" Commission reports to, we will never, ever get the truth out of SinnFein or the IRA. In fact they failed at the first hurdle several years ago when our Deputy First Minister had every opportunity to tell the Saville inquiry all about what happened on Bloody Sunday. Instead Marty informed the waiting international press that he devulged nothing and woud never betray the republican code of silence. Just like the alien mysteries of the X-Files, the truth is out there but just don't expect sooner or even later because this quest for the truth by SF is a total disengenuous and mischievious smoke and mirrors distraction. Its sole purpose is reassure us that the IRA is genuine about admitting their roles in the Troubles. Yeah, right and I came up Belfast Lough in a pink bubble.
Posted by Thos | 23.01.09, 11:53 GMT
What Gerry is saying is 'not set up by the Brits, not answerable to the Brits, but paid for by the Brits'.
Posted by KC | 23.01.09, 11:45 GMT
Seems an awful lot of unionists bloggers getting hot under the collar here because the British and Unionists may have to account for their dirty deals in the north of Ireland. This is what’s known in the civilised world as democracy. Its time the unionists got their heads round that, whether they like it or not, and no matter how confused they may be by the word democracy.
Posted by billy for the truth | 23.01.09, 11:17 GMT
Gerry is at his posturing again. He will do as his British paymasters tell him and his cronies in Stormont SF. One thing I will add, which the brave Gerry neglected to mention: the culpability of the screws in the H-Blocks towards defenceless political prisoners. Their behaviour during the Blanket Protest has to be highlighted if this paper is to have any credibility whatsoever.
Posted by no longer fooled republican | 23.01.09, 11:12 GMT
And of course the IRA have never done any cover ups themselves with regards the years of terror they inflicted upon this state. Heck, some of the useless SF MLAs can't even answer basic questions such as what's happening with our education system.
Posted by Bored to Tears with the Dinosaurs | 23.01.09, 10:40 GMT
Pull your head in Adams, no body in the international community cares. Theres to much going on in the present for you to whinge on about the past. Your problem is that the shinners don't know what to do with themselves now, thats why you must constantly go on about your 'opressed' past. Wake up, move on and don't embarass Northern Ireland by running to the international community!!
Posted by Gordon | 23.01.09, 09:19 GMT
On the one hand I'm happy that SF and the IRA will come out looking rather bad in any "Independent International Truth Commission" no matter who it is they are expected to report to. But I would much prefer an inglorious 30 year part of Northern Ireland's history was in fact left in the past as everyone (well except for the obvious few) in NI wish to move on.
However, if they won't permit 'dem nasty Brits', why not involve the group who oversaw the IRA's laughable decommissioning of all it weapons, because we know how conclusive THAT was....
Posted by mickey | 23.01.09, 09:00 GMT