Direct talks with republicans 'inevitable', says UDA boss

A loyalist paramilitary boss today predicted direct talks with republicans were inevitable if the North's new, devolved government succeeds.

Speaking after a meeting with the North's chief constable, Ulster Defence Association commander Jackie McDonald also ruled out imminent disarmament.

McDonald, one of the most powerful and influential men in the UDA, shook hands with Chief Constable Hugh Orde at a conference in Belfast examining how to shift loyalist communities away from crime and violence.

Even though the IRA has abandoned its guns and called off its armed campaign, McDonald said the people he represents still do not feel safe.

He said: "If there's political stability, and there still isn't, and the loyalist people don't feel threatened, it's an inevitability in a future normal society that there's no need for weapons.

"It (decommissioning) is a distinct possibility, but the way things stand at the moment, it's still not on the radar."

The loyalist chief, who runs the organisation's South Belfast Brigade and sits on its inner council, said: "The British and Irish Governments basically bought the weapons off the IRA at the end of the day.

"Until loyalism is afforded the same respect and dialogue about their future, then the loyalist people still do feel threatened and still do feel left out."

But McDonald was heartened by the workshop attended by police chiefs, business leaders and clergymen to discuss a major conflict transformation initiative in working class Protestant areas.

More than 100 delegates at the event, organised by the West Belfast-based Farset community organisation, heard how initial British government funding has been used and the future plans for a controversial £1.2m (€1.8m) grant awarded by Northern minister David Hanson to assist the regeneration efforts.

Representatives from the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), which advises the UDA, told the conference how the work was making a difference in moving communities away from crime.

McDonald claimed it was the most significant development undertaken by loyalists in recent years.

He added: "The UPRG and the UDA recognise the importance of taking our message outside the loyalist community and speaking to all sorts of people within the (British) government, the political parties and the nationalist community.

"If it's on the horizon with devolved government, then it's only a matter of time before we speak to republicans.

"If we're going to live in a normal society, and that's the direction we are going in, and they are going to be involved in the government of this country, it makes sense that it's going to happen."

After a brief introduction to Mr Orde in the foyer of the hotel where the conference was being held, the chief constable backed the initiative as a worthwhile attempt to distance loyalists from crime.

He said: "People will do well to recognise the complexities of policing in Northern Ireland.

"I have always said that I will talk to anyone interested in policing, and this is clear evidence of a group of people trying to move on.

"I've heard more acknowledgement from (UPRG spokesman) Frankie Gallagher today about the involvement of loyalism in the troubles than I have heard from other people."

Even though Mr Orde accepted that loyalist terrorism has yet to end, he emphasised that dissident republicans were still active as well.

"The notion that this will stop overnight is farcical.

"People within the loyalist community want more responsibility in making the change. We either recognise that for what it is or we criticise it.

"I do not think we would have seen this five years ago."

Mr Gallagher told the conference that the loyalist people wanted more from society, including better educational opportunities.

He recounted how one paramilitary man had insisted to him that he wanted integrated education for his children simply because his only encounter with Catholics previously had been when he went out to attack them.

"Here are these people at the extreme edge of our society who took extreme measures now sending their children to integrated education.

"Our influence at the interface areas, where we have managed to keep tensions calm, has helped play its part in the process.

"We have been working hard on the ground to free our communities from criminality and there has been some success, but there are still challenges that need to be addressed."