UDP decommissioning statement to Opening Plenary, 28 October 1996 | Quill

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This collection was catalogued and the metadata was recorded by Antoine Yenk. The cover photograph is copyright Daphne Trimble, used with permission.

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In an oral submission delivered on 28 October 1996, the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) addressed the issue of decommissioning, emphasizing the changed circumstances since the inception of the Independent International Body's proposals, which were initially based on the PIRA's cease-fire. The UDP reiterated its commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organizations, highlighting that the core issue is not the possession of arms but their potential use against the community or state for political leverage. The UDP stressed that loyalist paramilitary groups emerged as a defensive response to republican terrorism and the perceived failure of the British government to protect the Northern Ireland community. The party argued that loyalist arms are purely defensive and should not be traded for political concessions. The UDP criticized the British and Irish governments' policies and expressed distrust towards the Irish government's intentions. The submission underscored the loyalist community's commitment to the democratic process, contrasting it with the PIRA's actions and the inadequacy of the current legislation regarding Sinn Féin's participation in negotiations. The UDP called for a collective responsibility among all participants to pursue total disarmament and rejected the notion that loyalist disarmament should be a precondition for their participation in substantive negotiations. The party highlighted its efforts to influence loyalist paramilitaries towards peace and democracy, despite facing violent opposition from republican groups, and reaffirmed its dedication to achieving a peaceful, non-violent society.

decommissioning paramilitary activity (loyalist) paramilitary activity (republican) inclusion/exclusion of parties mitchell principles

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i27706

Item Number

089a

Oct

28

1996

Lever Arch File 05

121 1991 - 1997

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The Quill Project has kindly received permission from Queen's University Belfast to publish digital copies of these documents. This agreement does not cover any further publication or manipulation of these images. Further enquiries about the collection should be directed to the McClay Library at Queen's University Belfast, where the physical papers are held.

McClay Library and Archives, Queen's University Belfast, digitized by the Quill Project at https://quillproject.net/resource_collections/384/.

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