The Orange Order today called on the British Government to
wage its war on terrorism at home as well as abroad.
The Order's ruling body, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland,
has written to Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy asking
for a public enquiry into the intelligence gathering activities
of the IRA exposed by the so-called "Stormontgate"
affair. The Order has also expressed its deep concern at the
republican arms find in South Belfast on 22 March.
The Order says both Stormontgate and the arms find make a
mockery of Sinn Fein's attempt to portray republicans as being
fully committed to the peace process. "Gathering detailed
information on opponents and stockpiling weapons, ammunition
and timer devices shows that their cynical 'Armalite and ballot
box' policy is still firmly in place," said a Grand Lodge
spokesman.
"Ulster men and women - including a number of Orangemen
- are currently fighting in the war against Iraq because the
British Government regards Saddam Hussein as a key supporter
and sponsor of anti-Western terrorism. But while those service
personnel are risking their lives in the Gulf, here - in their
own backyard - the government continues to negotiate with
and appease the political supporters of Irish republican terrorists.
"Tony Blair and his cabinet colleagues have repeatedly
accused those who oppose the war with Iraq of naivety for
believing that Saddam Hussein doesn't pose a threat to the
United Kingdom. The IRA has terrorised the people of Northern
Ireland and Britain for more than 30 years and still refuses
to renounce violence and disarm. The question now is when
will the British Government stop applying double standards
and start opposing the IRA and its supporters as resolutely
as it opposes the Iraqi regime and al-Qaeda".
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