February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Ambassador Reiss, President George W. Bush?s appointee, urged unionists and republicans to work out their differences over the negotiating table, but the DUP said this sent out ?confused messages? about U.S. policy on terrorism.
?I have been very consistent on the issue of the DUP,” Reiss said. “If they have points of disagreement with Sinn Fein, then it is better to address them through face-to-face meetings.?
Speaking after the DUP met Reiss, however, MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: ?We outlined to him the very good reasons why we will only negotiate with those who are committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means.?
An end to the private army is necessary before Reiss?s suggestions can be discussed, Donaldson said.
?Mitchell Reiss has been urged to ensure that the U.S. administration exerts pressure on the terrorist groups,? said Edwin Poots, DUP assembly member Edwin Poots.
The East Belfast DUP assembly man, Robin Newton, went further, saying it was ?depressing to witness the confused messages being sent out about terrorists from the White House.?
Newton added: ?The very-welcome strong line being taken by President Bush is not matched by the USA envoy to Northern Ireland. A watered down approach is evident when dealing with IRA/Sinn Fein terrorists.?
President Bush?s speech at a recent NATO conference emphasized that compromising with violent extremists only invites future violence, Newton said. The law-abiding citizens of Northern Ireland support this philosophy. However, Reiss?s suggestions are in stark contrast. His encouragement of negotiations with a fully armed IRA/Sinn Fein proves there is a different approach to Irish terrorism than the violence in Iraq.
?This inconsistency shows appeasement and weakness in the USA policy toward defeating terrorism. Mr. Reiss would serve the interest of all law-abiding citizens well if he would increase pressure on IRA/Sinn Fein to get rid of their private army.?
After a Sinn F