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14/09/2009
Libyan Arms Gets Stormont Debate
Politicians will revisit some of the Troubles' worst times today.
A DUP motion is seeking cross-party support to pressure the Westminster Government to increase diplomatic pressure on Libya over arms and cash sent to the IRA.
Sinn Féin will have to make a decision on support for a compensation claim by victims against the Libyan state.
The victims and relatives are seeking compensation from Libya over IRA attacks carried out with weapons and explosives supplied by the north African country.
DUP MLAs Jeffrey Donaldson (pictured) and Nigel Dodds are seeking to unite the Northern Ireland Assembly in supporting the case being taken by the victims of republican terrorism to claim compensation from the Libyan Government who supplied arms and semtex explosives to the IRA.
Both MPs plan to visit Libya to make the case for compensation directly to the Libyan government.
They have been working closely with victims from Northern Ireland, Warrington, London and Manchester. Speaking ahead of the debate Mr Donaldson said: "It is an honour to work alongside so many of the victims and families in their quest for justice and compensation.
"It would significantly strengthen our case if we are able to tell the Libyan government that we enjoy full political support for our campaign," he said.
However, despite the looming schism, Mr Donaldson said this debate should "not be viewed as a unionist versus nationalist issue" as Libyan sponsored terrorism made no distinction between Protestant and Catholic or unionist and nationalist.
"This motion should be considered in the context of victims being heard and their quest for justice being aided," he said.
"When we look at the carnage of the multiple IRA atrocities across the United Kingdom, I cannot understand why anyone would not support those families' efforts," he said, noting that the American government has won compensation for citizens injured by the IRA, therefore "it's time for British victims to have the same rights".
According to the former Chief Constable, Hugh Annesely, in 1992, Libya was responsible for importing six tonnes of semtex, 1600 AK rifles, 300 machine guns, 500 handguns 20 SAM missiles and 50 rocket launchers, which were used to kill and maim hundreds of people. Financial assistance was also given to the tune of £6m.
He said: "There should be no softening in our attitude towards the Libyan regime until they compensate UK citizens from throughout our country who suffered at the hands of the terrorists that they armed and bank-rolled down through the years.
"We will continue to work hard on this issue," the MP and MLA said.
"Regardless of the economics or oil, justice must be done for the UK victims of Libyan-sponsored terrorist acts."
(BMCC/GK)
A DUP motion is seeking cross-party support to pressure the Westminster Government to increase diplomatic pressure on Libya over arms and cash sent to the IRA.
Sinn Féin will have to make a decision on support for a compensation claim by victims against the Libyan state.
The victims and relatives are seeking compensation from Libya over IRA attacks carried out with weapons and explosives supplied by the north African country.
DUP MLAs Jeffrey Donaldson (pictured) and Nigel Dodds are seeking to unite the Northern Ireland Assembly in supporting the case being taken by the victims of republican terrorism to claim compensation from the Libyan Government who supplied arms and semtex explosives to the IRA.
Both MPs plan to visit Libya to make the case for compensation directly to the Libyan government.
They have been working closely with victims from Northern Ireland, Warrington, London and Manchester. Speaking ahead of the debate Mr Donaldson said: "It is an honour to work alongside so many of the victims and families in their quest for justice and compensation.
"It would significantly strengthen our case if we are able to tell the Libyan government that we enjoy full political support for our campaign," he said.
However, despite the looming schism, Mr Donaldson said this debate should "not be viewed as a unionist versus nationalist issue" as Libyan sponsored terrorism made no distinction between Protestant and Catholic or unionist and nationalist.
"This motion should be considered in the context of victims being heard and their quest for justice being aided," he said.
"When we look at the carnage of the multiple IRA atrocities across the United Kingdom, I cannot understand why anyone would not support those families' efforts," he said, noting that the American government has won compensation for citizens injured by the IRA, therefore "it's time for British victims to have the same rights".
According to the former Chief Constable, Hugh Annesely, in 1992, Libya was responsible for importing six tonnes of semtex, 1600 AK rifles, 300 machine guns, 500 handguns 20 SAM missiles and 50 rocket launchers, which were used to kill and maim hundreds of people. Financial assistance was also given to the tune of £6m.
He said: "There should be no softening in our attitude towards the Libyan regime until they compensate UK citizens from throughout our country who suffered at the hands of the terrorists that they armed and bank-rolled down through the years.
"We will continue to work hard on this issue," the MP and MLA said.
"Regardless of the economics or oil, justice must be done for the UK victims of Libyan-sponsored terrorist acts."
(BMCC/GK)
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