Blair 'must put pressure on paramilitaries'

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair must prove he is the guardian of the peace process this week by bringing pressure to bear on republican paramilitaries to implement a "clear and unambiguous" ceasefire, David Trimble said yesterday.

The Northern Ireland First Minister said it was Mr Blair’s responsibility to prevent republican violence continuing in Belfast, four-and-a-half years on from the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Blair or Northern Secretary John Reid are expected to make a statement on the peace process before the Commons rises for the summer recess on Wednesday.

Speaking on the anniversary of Bloody Friday, the Ulster Unionist leader said the IRA’s apology last week for civilians killed in that atrocity and others since then must be sincere and reflect the organisation’s actions.

He told BBC1’s Breakfast with Frost: “It certainly doesn’t reflect the actions of the republican movement over the last couple of months, when they have been involved in serious violence here in Belfast.

“From the point at which the prime minister became focused on the issue, the mainstream republicans have been winding down the violence. Apologies are fine, but it would be important that the apology is based on change of approach and a change of heart by persons who are apologising.

“We’ve made it clear to the government that we expect the government to respond to this and, indeed, the prime minister has promised to do so.”

Mr Trimble said he hoped Mr Blair would clarify what his government will do in the statement this week.

“You can get them (republicans) to change their behaviour by pointing out to them very clearly that if they don’t, there will be consequences. It shouldn’t be up to me. The person who has responsibility is Tony Blair, and I’m calling on him to exercise his responsibility.

“He is supposed to be the guardian of the peace process, he is the person who carries the legal responsibility for maintaining order, and I’m calling on him to exercise that. What we want to see happen is the peace that we were promised four-and-a-half years ago, and we want to see the paramilitaries carry out the undertakings they gave to have a complete and unequivocal ceasefire.

“And, of course, to carry that through with the decommissioning of weapons and, of course, the eventual disbandment of the organisations.

“Let us all look forward to Wednesday in anticipation.”