Thursday, May 03, 2007
“In doing so we reaffirm the legitimacy of our tactical response…”
As has been heavily trailed in the media, and as the PA report says, The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is to assume a non-military, civilianised role after putting its weapons beyond use beyond reach.. Full statement here Adds The PUP’s Dawn Purvis is “pleased”.. natch.. But the IICD is “concerned”.. And The Secretary of State for Wales etc seems keen to move along, now..
“I specified the UVF in September 2005 following the loyalist feud of that summer. In the light of today’s statement I will consult with the Chief Constable to review that position.”
That statement in full
“Following a direct engagement with all units and departments of our organisation, the leadership of the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando today make public the outcome of our three-year consultation process.
We do so against a backdrop of increasing community acceptance that the mainstream republican offensive has ended; that the six principles upon which our ceasefire was predicated are maintained; that the principle of consent has been firmly established and thus, that the Union remains safe.
We welcome recent developments in securing stable, durable democratic structures in Northern Ireland and accept as significant, support by the mainstream republican movement of the constitutional status quo.Commensurate with these developments, as of twelve midnight, Thursday May 3 2007, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando will assume a non-military, civilianised, role.
To consolidate this fundamental change in outlook we have addressed the methodology of transformation from a military to civilian organisation by implementing the following measures in every operational and command area:
:: All recruitment has ceased;
:: Military training has ceased;
:: Targeting has ceased and all intelligence rendered obsolete;
:: All Active Service Units have been de activated;
:: All Ordnance has been put beyond reach and the IICD instructed accordingly.We encourage our volunteers to embrace the challenges which continue to face their communities and support their continued participation in non-military capacities. We reaffirm our opposition to all criminality and instruct our volunteers to cooperate fully with the lawful authorities in all possible instances.
Moreover, we state unequivocally, that any volunteer engaged in criminality does so in direct contravention of Brigade Command and thus we welcome any recourse through due process of law. All volunteers are further encouraged to show support for credible restorative justice projects so that they, with their respective communities, may help eradicate criminality and anti-social behaviour in our society.
We ask the government to facilitate this process and remove the obstacles which currently prevent our volunteers and their families from assuming full and meaningful citizenship.
We call on all violent dissidents to desist immediately and urge all relevant governments and their security apparatus to deal swiftly and efficiently with this threat. Failure to do so will inevitably provoke another generation of loyalists towards armed resistance.
We have taken the above measures in an earnest attempt to augment the return of accountable democracy to the people of Northern Ireland and as such, to engender confidence that the constitutional question has now been firmly settled.
In doing so we reaffirm the legitimacy of our tactical response to violent nationalism, yet reiterate the sincere expression of abject and true remorse to all innocent victims of the conflict.
Brigade Command salutes the dedication and fortitude of our officers, NCOs and volunteers throughout the difficult, brutal years of armed resistance. We reflect with honour on those from our organisation who made the ultimate sacrifice; those who endured long years of incarceration and the loyal families who shared their suffering and supported them throughout.
Finally we convey our appreciation for the honest forthright exchange with officers, NCOs and volunteers throughout the organisation over the past three years which has allowed us to assume with confidence the position we adopt today.
For God and Ulster
Captain William Johnston; Adjutant.”
Pete Baker @ 09:31 AM
nix,
“However, all societies have criminality - that’s what the police is for, as the statement says.”The UVF reaffirming its “opposition to all criminality” (as the statement says) is disgusting.
Since when did that bunch of murdering drug dealers oppose “all criminality”?
And not one public reprehensive to challenge or expose this sickening statement.
Forget all the crimes they have committed and pat them on the back for not murdering Fenians any more.
Charming.
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 03:44 PMDemocratic,
I always saw them as throwbacks to the old school of Craig and the “Protestant State” as well as larking around pretending to be highly organised soldiers…
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 03:47 PM“For God and Ulster”
I’m sorry Captain but I really don’t think God is going to be too impressed with what you’ve been up to in Ulster, if you’re lucky you will get some serious affirmative action to correct your way of thinking.
Or perhaps, you can join P O’Neill and his gang in the downward shute to the hot and nasty Department of Sinners.
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 03:56 PMThe announcement today is an improvement on yesterday and perhaps next week/month will be even better.
We are moving in the right direction.
Having arms is a criminal offence and PSNI should go after all illegally held arms loyalist or republican to complete the transition to peace now that all former combatants support law and order.Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 04:09 PMThere’s a nice new sign on a chipper on Albertbridge Road called “for Cod and Ulster”.
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 05:14 PMHanson,
In my world view and belief system, the UVF’s (and the IRA’s) violent actions throughout the troubles have been morally wrong. They have also been criminal, because the state rightly defines murder, beatings etc. as criminal.
However, in the world view of the UVF (or IRA) membership and their supporters, their violence (or most of it) has been justified by a political agenda, in the same way that many British people believe that violence of the British state in (say) World War II was justified by a political agenda of defeating Hitler / fascism. (Personally, I am a pacifist, but that’s getting rather off the point).I think what the past fifteen years or so have shown decisively in NI is that recognizing the political agendas of paramilitary groups, whilst still condemning their actions, is a more effective means of ending violence than pretending that those political agendas don’t exist and the IRA / UVF / whoever are ‘just criminals’. If these organisations had no political support, it would be a damn sight easier for their members to be caught and convicted.
Yes, in my world view and yours, the UVF condemning criminality is disgusting and hypocritical, but I can also see that in their world view there is a distinction between political violence and criminality. And I for one am glad if the political violence is ending.
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 05:32 PMnix: “In my world view and belief system, the UVF’s (and the IRA’s) violent actions throughout the troubles have been morally wrong. They have also been criminal, because the state rightly defines murder, beatings etc. as criminal. “
Then, arguably, the excesses of the B-Specials, Special Branch and other state-supported organizations have also been criminal. When the state is willing to condone criminal activities performed in its name by its servants, what re-dress do the ruled have?
nix: “However, in the world view of the UVF (or IRA) membership and their supporters, their violence (or most of it) has been justified by a political agenda, in the same way that many British people believe that violence of the British state in (say) World War II was justified by a political agenda of defeating Hitler / fascism. “
PIRA, for good or for ill, could indicate excesses committed by the UVF and certain arms of the state to rationalize their actions. The UVF, however, was re-formed during the lull between the end of the border campaign and prior to the NICRA marches and the start of the Troubles. What *legitimate* function did the UVF fufill that was not being fufilled by the police or other branch of that state?
nix: “(Personally, I am a pacifist, but that’s getting rather off the point). “
It’s not, actually…
nix: “I think what the past fifteen years or so have shown decisively in NI is that recognizing the political agendas of paramilitary groups, whilst still condemning their actions, is a more effective means of ending violence than pretending that those political agendas don’t exist and the IRA / UVF / whoever are ‘just criminals’.”
Ah, but the UVF did not have a “political agenda,” as such. They were defenders of the status quo who would like the public at large to ignore their murder of civilians and drug-dealing activities and think of them as little different from auxilliary police.
nix: “ If these organisations had no political support, it would be a damn sight easier for their members to be caught and convicted.”
That is naive, at best. All the UVF need to do is make a few “examples” and suddenly there are far fewer witnesses against them. The proof of their political support, or, in the UVF’s case, lack thereof, is properly measured at the ballot box. Lacking a political agenda, they have no real manifesto. They have one “national” level rep—admittedly, that is one more that UPRG, but pales in comparison to SF. The UVF’s political support is meagre, their ability to intimidate far outstrips it.
nix: “Yes, in my world view and yours, the UVF condemning criminality is disgusting and hypocritical, but I can also see that in their world view there is a distinction between political violence and criminality. And I for one am glad if the political violence is ending. “
Please, my tolerance for political naivete and sanctimony only goes so far.
In matters not if your hit during a “political” bullet or an “ordinary decent criminal” bullet.
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 06:59 PMnmc: “There may be sectarian lunatics in the ranks, but there are also people who do it for love of their own people.”
The “own people” mindset described is the root of sectarian lunacy.
macswiney: “should not forget the hundreds of innocent Catholics that they butchered”
Why not remember all the innocent people they murdered?
atlast: “They have jumped at least 2/3rds of the way the IRA have gone (in some aspects further) wihtout any of the hand holding and buy offs that Republicans received.”
Do we know this?
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 07:02 PMDread Cthulhu,
I’d agree with your first point entirely. I’d also agree that there are differences in the relationship between the political agendas and paramilitary groups in loyalism and republicanism respectively. Its difficult to get every nuance in a posting, and I was becoming windy already. I also agree (must be all that naivete shining through) that threats to witnesses is a major reason, in both communities, for them not coming forward. However, I think it is an oversimplification on your part to say that political support does not also play a part.
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 09:28 PMit’s very simple.
They have seen the gravy train that is open to UDA and want some of it, plus they realise that the the north of ireland is moving on from their narrow sectarian but criminal agenda ( politically at least) and they are frightened of being left out of the table settings.
It is too little too late, better still they just announce that they were criminals all along, used the conflict to cloud this by killing the odd catholic every now and then and now want to concentrate on communiity work ( dealing as much as they can within their own areas whilst robbing and intimidating without having to try and put it in some false “political” context.
I would rather an honest gangster, than a dishonest “patriot”
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 09:53 PMWill the uvf now be putting the paramilitary bands beyond use ??
Posted by on May 03, 2007 @ 10:11 PMWhta’s the craic with Billy Hutchinson these days? For a long time he seemed to completely drop off the PUP radar. Even after David Ervine’s death he was virtually anonymous. He is never interviewed about PUP policy issues, he seems to be purely and solely a spokesman on UVF-related matters these days.
Posted by on May 04, 2007 @ 09:25 AMdermy: “Will the uvf now be putting the paramilitary bands beyond use ?? “
They can’t even put the weapons beyond use, merely “beyond reach,” which leaves me with the image of a pack of malignent little hunch-backed dwarves clambering, child-like, for the weapons atop the fridge.
nix: “However, I think it is an oversimplification on your part to say that political support does not also play a part.”
You’re indulging in bootstrap levitation, nix. You assume they must have political support, then base in on behaviors that have more than viable alternate explanations. Are there a supply of Neaderthals to fluff their ranks and do their dirty work? Yes, but most criminal organizations can find the same. Do people not rat out the UVF? Sure, but neither do the local population tell tales about the Mafia or the drug cartels, no political support involved.
Their political footprint in small in the case of the UVF (and near non-existant in the case of the UDA). They have power because they have weapons and are willing to use them on whomever suits their purposes.
Their political support, measured by ballots, is near non-existant.
Posted by on May 04, 2007 @ 12:58 PMGizfizz
I totally agree with you These bastards think that they were justified in murdering people. But, hey! Who cares about such trivialities?
Posted by on May 04, 2007 @ 06:31 PM
