The Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, has made an impassioned plea for politicians in the North to redouble their efforts to end recent sectarian violence and to point the finger at the trouble-makers. Dr Reid, who cut short his holidays to fly back to the North yesterday, urged all politicians to end the "savagery" surrounding the Holy Cross School dispute.
Despite the UDA's insistence that it was on ceasefire, there was "increasing evidence" that elements of the organisation were "on anything but ceasefire", he said. He pledged to monitor events and to take the necessary legal action if there was evidence of a "systematic breach" of the ceasefire.
Dr Reid said politicians must work together to create a peaceful future. "The terrible events of the last few days at Holy Cross School have presented politicians with a clear choice. "They can use those events to entrench their positions, to blame the other side, or they can use that crisis as a spur to finding a political resolution to the deep bitterness and hatred that seems to exist in certain sections of the community. It is time politicians in Northern Ireland pointed the finger at those who are guilty of throwing pipe bombs or intimidating children or parents."
Dr Reid said he would be holding talks with politicians, Holy Cross representatives, and the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan. The US government yesterday deplored as "despicable" the attacks on children. State Department spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, citing the attacks and the killing of a 16year-old boy in the White City area of Belfast, said they were "deeply disturbed by the reports of increased violence. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the threats to families by paramilitaries." he said.
He called on their leaders once again "to demonstrate their continued commitment to the peace process."
A statement signed by 25 members of the US Congress said there was "no justification nor any excuse for sectarian intimidation and attacks inspired by religious hatred, especially when the lives of young school children are at stake."
It was prepared and circulated by Congressman Peter King, co-chairman of the Congress ad hoc committee on Irish affairs. The members urged all parties to the Belfast Agreement to use all resources at their disposal to end the violence.
There was a peaceful but noisy protest outside Holy Cross yesterday as around 100 Catholic schoolgirls and their parents walked to the main school gates. Around 200 Protestant residents blew whistles, sounded air horns and banged bin lids as they passed. The chairman of the school's board of governors, Father Aidan Troy, said he was relieved. "We can live with whistles. They are better than pipe bombs," he said.
A spokesman for the Protestant residents, Mr Mark Coulter, said it had been "a peaceful and dignified protest". The RUC said it was treating "very seriously" loyalist death threats against three of the Catholic parents. Meanwhile, the father of Thomas McDonald (16), killed by a car while he was riding his bicycle on Tuesday, had to be restrained by by five RUC officers in Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday. Mr Sammy McDonald lunged at the woman charged with his murder. Ms Alison Abigail McKeown (32) was remanded in custody.
RUC continues shielding children: page 8 Government asks Colombia to ensure welfare of three: page 4
