Northenrn Ireland is not ready for a South African-style truth and reconciliation commission, according to the Presbyterian Church's annual assembly in Belfast. The assembly also heard complaints of "selective" inquiries into previous violent incidents that were loaded against the police and British army.
Former Presbyterian moderator the Rev Dr John Dunlop said there was an apparent one-sided approach to the past actions of the security forces which failed to acknowledge what the paramilitaries had inflicted on Northern Ireland society over the past 30 years.
Dr Dunlop said there was a sharp contrast between the intention "not to pursue people connected with paramilitary organisations, now on ceasefire, against whom there are outstanding prosecutions, and in some cases extradition proceedings, while proposals that enquiries into alleged misdemeanours by the police are to be extended and intensified".
He indicated he did not expect full disclosure of the detail of controversial past violent actions by rhetorically asking: "Do we believe that loyalist and republican terrorist organisations, MI5, or the Special Branch, or the police in Northern Ireland, or the gardaí in the Republic, are going to turn up and tell the world everything that went on in the murky, grey world of 30 years of conflict?"
Dr Dunlop added: "While we fully recognise the pain and loss suffered by the relatives of those who ought never to have been killed, if the books are closed for some they should be closed for all, so that we can concentrate on shaping a new future."
On Dr Dunlop's recommendation, the assembly passed a motion: "That the Assembly views with concern the partisan way in which the allegations concerning members of the security forces are being investigated and the calls for associated enquiries, while a blind eye is apparently turned to the activities of people who have been or still are associated with terrorist organisations.
"The General Assembly does not believe that such one-sided activity serves the building of trust, nor does it believe that the time is right for a South African-style Truth and Reconciliation Commission."
Dr Dunlop noted with unease that the assembly was meeting against a background of escalating sectarian violence. He expressed concern that some towns and city areas in Northern Ireland had become almost exclusively nationalist or unionist.
"The proliferation of flags, emblems, murals and memorials can make some people feel at home but can constitute a significant chill factor for others. We owe it to one another to cease this policy of cultural and political refrigeration," Dr Dunop said.
The assembly paid tribute to the work of the RUC and to those members who were murdered or injured since it was established in 1922.
It conveyed "good wishes" to the Police Service of Northern Ireland "and urged all members of the community to give it their warm-hearted support and co-operation".
