From Unity, 13 October 2007

Giant steps needed

by Lynda Walker


The issue of the funding of the Ulster Defence Association developed further this week when the deadline for its decommissioning arrived on 9 October. The Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, has threatened to withdraw the £1.2.million from the project unless it begins the process of disarming and running down its military organisation.
     The Ulster Volunteer Force has already started this process, as noted by the Independent Monitoring Commission, which said that, “since its ‘statement of intent’ of May 2007, the organisation appears to have started to address the question of weapons although not fulfilling the legal requirements of the decommissioning process.” The UDA has not matched this progress, because of “lack of organisational coherence.”
     The whole situation regarding the UDA’s funding has question marks over it. Communities in Northern Ireland are moving from a state of violence, collusion and isolation to a more open and peaceful situation. Many people would oppose the UDA getting public money, whether it decommissions or not. However, if involving those who were instrumental in supporting violence helps to move us past the point of paramilitary action to ones of legitimate political action, then we have to welcome this.
     The point is, how does an organisation like the UDA develop into a legitimate political or community group? (Silk purses and sows’ ears come to mind.) But part of the answer must be by getting involved with issues that affect the majority of the people, in the interest of the majority of the people—issues like opposition to the water charges, for example. Would the labour and trade union movement want members of the UDA involved in such a struggle? The answer has to be yes, providing they acknowledge democratic methods of working and join as individual members of the trade union, labour and community movement.
     Is the ultimatum that Margaret Ritchie has set helpful? This is another question to be asked. Since the ceasefires in 1994 we have been plagued with deadline after deadline, most of which have not been met. Indeed we read in the local papers on 9 October that “the deadline arrives for the UDA”; but the verdict of the minister may not emerge until next week.
     Some signs, however small, are welcome, namely that there has recently been dialogue between the UDA and General John de Chastelaine’s Independent Commission on Decommissioning. These talks were hailed as “meaningful” by the Northern Ireland Secretary, Shaun Woodwood—a comment that Ritchie felt pressured and undermined by. It would have been more to the point if the minister had welcomed these talks herself.
     At the end of the day, no-one underestimates the job that needs to be done regarding the transformation of the criminal and paramilitary elements here. The UDA itself has to come to terms with the changing political landscape here; but it is a process that we are going through and one that needs determination, and patience, as well as insight. Hard going, no doubt.
     Finally, mention must be made of the situation that Arlene Foster, Dr Paisley and the DUP are in regarding redevelopment of the Giant’s Causeway visitors’ centre. The fact that Seymour Sweeney, a member of the DUP, has applied to carry out the work and is supported by Dr Paisley is without a doubt cause for concern. According to the Belfast Telegraph, Dr Paisley “made questionable claims when pressing the Heritage Lottery Fund in support of a grant bid by the tycoon.” This issue has been put before the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, who will decide it there is a need for an inquiry. This must surely be supported by all who favour transparency.

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