ULSTER
ASSEMBLY: Old hatreds live on at Stormont
From DAILY TELEGRAPH July 2nd, 1998
"You came trundling into this room because you're afraid you're going to
be left behind." There was no requirement for the decommissioning of arms,
he continued, and nothing would stop Sinn Féin taking its seats in government.
"This is only the start." Mr McCartney, he added, was attempting to intimidate
Mr Trimble's people and trying to force them back into the dark ages.
"Intimidate?" laughed Mr McCartney. "Don't you talk about intimidating."
As Mr McGuinness continued to lecture Unionists about democracy, the invective
came thick and strong. "Get rid of your balaclava," shouted one of Mr Paisley's
men. "Semtex and Armalite," called another. But Mr Paisley had already lost
his vote. The word had been passed around that Mr Trimble was safe, that
his "dissidents" and alleged waverers had decided to keep their powder dry
for another day.
Seamus Mallon, the SDLP Second Minister, and Mr Trimble spoke of new beginnings
and of working together for the good of all the people of Northern Ireland
before shaking hands and taking their oaths of office. Mr Paisley could
only rail impotently at the latest act of treachery by his brother Unionists.
"Everybody will be glad to know," he roared, "the Prime Minister will be
here tomorrow and he'll be giving out OBEs galore." |
