Loyalist cease-fire?

@box text intro = There appears to be a great deal of confusion surrounding the status of the loyalist cease-fire. Loyalists insist that it is still in effect, but there is a great gap between their words and their actions.

Loyalist violence and intimidation against Catholics have not abated. There have been bomb attempts on civilians and Sinn Féin offices, sectarian murders, arson attacks on homes and Catholic churches.

The loyalist line appears to be, “If we don't admit it, it never happened”. Britain seems more than willing to go along with this line.

Sinn Féin, despite receiving a mandate from a significant portion of the northern population to represent them at all-party peace talks, were banned from the talks last June. The reason given was the resumption of the IRA campaign against British rule.

However, the unionist parties remain in the talks despite continued loyalist violence. Whereas the IRA admits responsibility for its actions, the loyalist groups refuse to accept responsibility for theirs.

[From Orange Watch.]

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