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Anger at idea Troubles was a war Anger at idea Troubles was a war
(about 1 hour later)
There has been an angry reaction to a suggestion that the British government may be asked to formally say it fought a war against the IRA.There has been an angry reaction to a suggestion that the British government may be asked to formally say it fought a war against the IRA.
It is one option being considered by the Consultative Group on the Past, the group set up to look at how best to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.It is one option being considered by the Consultative Group on the Past, the group set up to look at how best to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.
Victims campaigner Willie Frazer said: "If there was a war it justifies the murder of our loved ones.Victims campaigner Willie Frazer said: "If there was a war it justifies the murder of our loved ones.
"It was not a war, it was a terrorist campaign.""It was not a war, it was a terrorist campaign."
He was speaking after the group, co-chaired by Lord Eames and Denis Bradley, held the first of seven public meetings in Belfast on Monday evening. It is due to publish a report this summer. However, a man whose mother was killed by a UVF bomb said it was important to move forward.
Other mechanisms can be created to encourage paramilitaries to come forward without granting their wish for a rewrite of history Stephen FarryAlliance Party Sources have said it may ask the government to say the period known as the Troubles was in fact a war, something claimed at the time by republican and loyalist paramilitaries. Jude Whyte said: "What Denis Bradley and Robin Eames are doing is asking people together to cross the Rubicon and forgive, not to forget, but to hand the next generation something better."
Other mechanisms can be created to encourage paramilitaries to come forward without granting their wish for a rewrite of history Stephen FarryAlliance Party The group, co-chaired by Lord Eames and Denis Bradley, held the first of seven public meetings in Belfast on Monday evening.
It is also seeking talks with senior IRA and loyalist paramilitary figures before publishing its report in the summer.
Sources have said it may ask the government to say the period known as the Troubles was in fact a war, something claimed at the time by republican and loyalist paramilitaries.
Throughout the Troubles successive governments and the security forces said they were dealing with criminal activity and a breakdown of law and order in Northern Ireland.Throughout the Troubles successive governments and the security forces said they were dealing with criminal activity and a breakdown of law and order in Northern Ireland.
Ian Paisley Jr of the DUP said: "If there was a war fought under the ordinary rules of engagement, they would have a case.Ian Paisley Jr of the DUP said: "If there was a war fought under the ordinary rules of engagement, they would have a case.
"Law and order would be turned on its head - it would be sickening and that's why it should be rejected.""Law and order would be turned on its head - it would be sickening and that's why it should be rejected."
If the government was to say it was a war, it could enable it to grant a form of amnesty to former paramilitaries willing to provide details of their activities as part of a truth-recovery process. There is no hierarchy of victims - everyone is suffering Mitchel McLaughlinSinn Fein If the government was to say it was a war, it could enable it to grant a form of amnesty to former paramilitaries willing to provide details of their activities as part of a truth-recovery process.
There is no hierarchy of victims - everyone is suffering Mitchel McLaughlinSinn Fein
Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party said: "Other mechanisms can be created to encourage paramilitaries to come forward without granting their wish for a rewrite of history."Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party said: "Other mechanisms can be created to encourage paramilitaries to come forward without granting their wish for a rewrite of history."
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said: "The reality is that the IRA were and are insurgents, who were resisted by the legitimate forces of the United Kingdom."Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said: "The reality is that the IRA were and are insurgents, who were resisted by the legitimate forces of the United Kingdom."
However, Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin said: "There is no hierarchy of victims - everyone is suffering."However, Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin said: "There is no hierarchy of victims - everyone is suffering."
He said the group could "by no means be regarded as a neutral observer" as it was set up by the British government. Lord Eames and Denis Bradley co-chair the groupHe said the group could "by no means be regarded as a neutral observer" as it was set up by the British government.
The report could also recommend that all groups involved in the violence should apologise for their role and consider signing an agreement that they will never again use violence for political ends.The report could also recommend that all groups involved in the violence should apologise for their role and consider signing an agreement that they will never again use violence for political ends.
The group's first public meeting will be followed by others in Londonderry, Bangor, Ballymena, Enniskillen, Armagh and Omagh over the coming weeks.The group's first public meeting will be followed by others in Londonderry, Bangor, Ballymena, Enniskillen, Armagh and Omagh over the coming weeks.
The independent group was set up by former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain with an aim to provide a platform for people to express their opinions on how to deal with the trauma caused by the Troubles.The independent group was set up by former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain with an aim to provide a platform for people to express their opinions on how to deal with the trauma caused by the Troubles.