Street violence talks end in stalemate

Northern Ireland’s politicians tonight agreed to continue meeting to find a way to end the misery of sectarian street violence.

After a two-hour meeting at Stormont the parties failed to agree on a set of principles to confront the problem of “interface” violence in areas where Catholic and Protestant communities meet.

However they said the fact that the meeting had taken place was itself a positive first step.

Sinn Fein’s North Belfast Assembly member, Gerry Kelly, said the meeting, which was held after last week’s promise by the Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid to address the problem of violence between rival communities, was long overdue.

“I regret we couldn’t come out with a joint statement but certainly there was a communal view against sectarianism at the interfaces,” he said.

Ulster Unionist Assembly member Fred Cobain said that the meeting signalled some hope for the future in ending clashes between unionist and nationalist mobs in Belfast.

But he said that community dialogue would not take place until the paramilitaries took a step back from the violence.

“Ninety five per cent of our problems in the interfaces are created by paramilitaries on both sides.

“They (the paramilitaries) must face up to their responsibilities.”

Alex Attwood of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party said that the meeting was a useful first step.

“But many more steps need to be taken before there is a leap forward in terms of the proper management of interface tensions,” he added.

He echoed Mr Cobain’s call on paramilitary organisations to stop orchestrating violence in their areas.

Today’s meeting was chaired by NIO Minister Des Browne. It is expected that in future meetings, the parties will attempt to agree on a set of principles to alleviate sectarian tension.

These will include the two communities, sharing information to try to prevent outbreaks of violence.

Monica McWilliams of the non sectarian Womens Coalition said it was ironic that the meeting had to be called by the NIO when the parties should have entered into dialogue months ago.

“It is the first, I hope, of many meetings and it sends out a good message that politicians can sit down around the table,” she added.