In the Belfast Telegraph Brian Rowan reports that, with public funds of £1.2million allocated by the Secretary of State for Wales etc and after having expelled certain members, what are described in the report as “senior loyalists”, presumably the UDA leadership, are expected to attend a conference [organised by? – Ed] at a Belfast hotel tomorrow with invited guests.. [with workshops, natch – Ed] And among those invited guests.. the Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.. *shakes head*Some choice quotes from the report
“The message is that I and other people will need to be convinced,” the Chief Constable told the Belfast Telegraph.
“That means tangible changes in behaviour and decommissioning.
“The very fact that they have called this conference should be seen as a positive event.
“It’s a good thing. It’s good to talk. You always learn something at these things.”
If I thought it was for intelligence gathering then I might see some purpose in the Chief Constable attending.. As it is, however..
Frankie Gallagher, of the Ulster Political Research Group, told the Telegraph: “This is the beginning of a process of talking to others and listening.
“We are committed to change, but change, as we have seen with republicans involved in processes, needs time and needs external help.”