The facts revealed last night by R.T.E. on their Prime Time
Programme would have been very revealing to many people but
not to the Senior Officers of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
Mr. John McCrea, Grand Secretary, of the Grand Orange Lodge
of Ireland, speaking from London, said:-
"Over the past few days I have held Meetings with Senior
Officers of the Orange Order in England, and with people who
have business interests in Northern Ireland. I have warned
them of the Sinn Fein/I.R.A. involvement in Residents Associations.
The appearance of Mr. Gerry Adams in the Ormeau and Garvaghy
areas last week, plus the television pictures of him with
Mr. Rice of L.O.C.C. in Ormeau, and with Mr. McKenna of Garvaghy
Residents, were a clear indication of the Sinn Fein/I.R.A.
involvement. Mr. Adams was only visiting his leaders to 'rally
his troops' for the summer programme.
The revelations from R.T.E. totally vindicated the decision
of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland not to talk with such
Residents Groups whilst Sinn Fein/I.R.A. are involved. The
continued presence of Messrs. Rice & McKenna will not
permit an improvement in broad community relations.
There are however some Residents Groups which have not been
tainted by the poison of Sinn Fein/I.R.A., and the Officers
of these Associations must rise to the occasion and seek to
improve community relations to reduce tension".
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