NORTHERN IRELAND: Loyalists Seek Their Own Meeting With Britain

DUBLIN, Dic 08 (IPS) - On the eve of talks between the British government and the IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, the political parties close to the loyalist paramilitaries are impressing on London the urgent need to also name a date for talks with them.

Talks with the British government have been on the agenda for the political representatives of both sides of the conflict -- the IRA which is fighting for a united Ireland, and the loyalist paramilitaries, who are committed to maintaining the Union with Britain -- following separate ceasefires in the last three months.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) announced its ceasefire on Aug 31 while the loyalist ceasefire came on Oct 13.

The talks are necessary not just to initiate a process leading to a political settlement to the 25-year-old conflict which has claimed more than 3,000 lives; but in order to show some sign of progress to the hard-liners on both sides.

But as the British government prepares for Friday's talks with the IRA, the Popular Unionist Party (PUP) and the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) Thursday criticised London for its "uneven- handed" approach to the peace process. There is "a growing feeling of alienation in the loyalist community", they charged.

It is clear that the two small loyalist groups are under pressure from former paramilitaries who see Sinn Fein being "elevated" by the British and U.S. governments.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has just returned from a high- profile meeting in the United States with President Bill Clinton's National Security Adviser, Anthony Lake with whom he discussed "ways in which the peace process can be further advanced and economic prosperity can be promoted".

David Ervine, the leader of the Popular Unionist Party, called on the British government to enter dialogue with the two loyalist parties. Ervine said he was surprised that the British government always had to be put under pressure to advance the peace process.

Although both loyalist parties were founded by former loyalist paramilitaries, and as yet have only two councillors between them, the PUP and the UDP have been making more conciliatory noises than the traditional Unionist parties representing the Protestant majority who want to remain in the United Kingdom.

© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service