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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Orange Standard

Order's Stance On Agreement Vindicated

Article 4 ~ August 2003

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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