The Ulster Unionist Council has unanimously passed a motion
regretting that there has been no further progress on the
decommissioning of illegal terrorist weapons by either republican
or loyalist terrorist groups.
In pursuance of our declared objectives of total decommissioning
and stable devolved government within the United Kingdom,
the Council resolved the following.
"We reaffirm our belief that the Union provides the
best future for all the people of Northern Ireland, based
firmly upon the principles of consent. The Ulster Unionist
Party will continue to positively promote the benefits of
the Union and will relentlessly oppose a united Ireland.
"The Council mandates the Ulster Unionist leader to
hold the Prime Minister to the undertakings he gave in his
letter of April 10, 1998, including his commitment to change
the exclusion mechanism in the Assembly should this prove
to be ineffective. The Council requires the implementation
of appropriate changes to this legislation as part of the
forthcoming Review of the Agreement.
"In the meantime, the Council further mandates the Ulster
Unionist leader to apply such sanctions against the Sinn Fein
ministers as are deemed necessary to ensure compliance with
the requirement for total disarmament. The Council is also
committed to finding ways of ensuring the compliance of loyalist
paramilitaries with their decommissioning obligations.
"The Council reiterates its total repudiation of the
proposed amnesty for 'on the run' terrorists, which was not
part of the Belfast Agreement, and pledges that Ulster Unionists
will mount a vigorous campaign of opposition to these proposals
in both Houses of Parliament and in the country.
"The Council welcomes the decision to retain the Royal
Coat of Arms and the Union Flag on our courthouses and will
continue to require an end to the neutralisation of the British
identity of the greater number in Northern Ireland, which
is contrary to the principle of consent as outlined in the
Agreement.
"The Council reaffirms its unequivocal support for the
rule of law and remains committed to ensuring that the Police
are provided with the resources that they need to tackle the
growing levels of crime and to counter the continuing security
threat from terrorists. The Ulster Unionist Party will continue
to fight for the retention of the full-time police reserve."
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