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The Grand Secretary and Co. Armagh Grand Master, Wor. Bro.
Denis Watson said the Orange Institution's stance to the Belfast
Agreement since 1998 has been totally vindicated.
"What further concessions have we witnessed since last
year to the insatiable appetite of the republican movement
and the continued bleatings of the spineless SDLP? The list
is endless!
"We have had the break-in at Castlereagh and Stormontgate
with many of us being victims of that espionage. The Chief
Constable Hugh Orde even had the audacity to apologise to
IRA/Sinn Fein for his officers raiding Stormont," Bro.
Watson said at Markethill on the Twelfth.
"The NIO and the previous Secretary of State knew all
these things were happening under their noses but still they
refused to use their powers to throw IRA/Sinn Fein out of
the Executive.
"Then we have the latest debacle at the Royal Victoria
Hospital and the Prison Headquarters in Dundonald House.
"The implementation of Patten has continued to dimish
law and order in this Province rather than enhancing it where
we have the ludicrous situation of inverse discrimination
instead of appointing candidates on merit. Just add to that
the possibility of the Old Bailey bomber, Gerry Kelly as the
minister for justice and policing. We know the kind of justice
he metes out. Interestingly enough, he attends more Orange
parades than some Orangemen!
"Our opponents continually winge about parity of esteem
but ensure that it is denied to us. They use the iniquitous
Parades Commission, which has shown that it will only do the
bidding of its paymaster rather than support the rights of
freedom and peaceful Assembly."
Bro. Watson said the Parades Commission are clearly afraid
to hold their deliberations in an open and transparent manner
and there is no rhyme or reason when they decide one week
to allow a parade through and then the following week block
it.
"Their decisions for the most part are incomprehensible,"
he said.
"When challenged, the PSNI run for cover claiming that
they are only upholding the Commission's decisions. They deny
that they are the people who can recommend whether a parade
takes place or not.
"On many occasions it is clear that the greater threat
of violence or operational budget constraints seem to finally
win the day.
"I would urge caution to some of our members who want
to negotiate their rights with ex-terrorists or representatives
of terrorist organisations in order for a short-term gain
but clearly ignoring the advice of the Grand Lodge of Ireland
and the long-term consequences of their folly.
"No government can work in Northern Ireland based on
an amnesty to IRA terrorists who are fugitives from justice
and responsible for murdering many of our members, particularly
in Co. Armagh and destroying the basic family unit upon which
society is founded.
"Today, we meet just a few miles from the border with
the Irish Republic in the trail of dismantled watchtowers,
removal of security bases and the disbandment of the home
service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment.
"Let us not forget that many of our members and their
families have served and continue to serve in this gallant
regiment.
"We remember with gratitude the many members of Co.
Armagh who lost their lives at the Somme and other conflicts
including the campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing here
at home. We salute all those members of our Institution who
have gallantly served and continue to serve in Iraq.
"It is a disgrace that the same resolve shown by President
Bush and his trustly lieutenant, Tony Blair to deal with worldwide
terrorism and latterly the Iraqi regime of Sudan Hussein is
missing when it comes to dealing with the insurgence campaign
in part of the United Kingdom."
Bro. Watson added: "Here, these terrorists and their
cohorts are wined and dined by Government, treated as Statemen
throughout the world whilst the elected representatives of
the vast majority of Unionists are consistently ignored.
"There can be no interference in the internal affairs
of any future Northern Ireland Assembly. The Joint Declaration
is an affront to the principles of democracy and justice and
cannot be supported by any Unionist.
"Is it any wonder then that following the litany of
appeasement over the last five years almost half of the Ulster
Unionist Council members and their supporters together with
the remainder of anti-Agreement Unionists are now opposed
to the Belfast Agreement.
"Democracy has been denied to the law-abiding citizens
of Northern Ireland because Tony Blair knows only too well
what the outcome will be for his failed and corrupt process.
If an election were called, he knows that his puppets would
be either be gone or rendered totally ineffective.
"But democracy cannot be denied forever, the people
will eventually have their say. All we ask for is to be treated
equally and fairly as citizens of the United Kingdom like
the remainder of our counterparts in Great Britain. Nothing
more - nothing less.
"The Belfast Agreement is dead and we reiterate our
total and unequivocal rejection of the Joint Declaration and
call for a united front to negotiate a new and better agreement
that is capable of achieving widespread support and consent."
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