Full statement of Loyalist groups UVF & Red Hand on Decommissioning.
national |
history and heritage |
press release 
Saturday June 27, 2009 14:18
by "Captain William Johnston"
Although for many readers it might seem in poor taste to publish words from either the UVF or Red Hand Comando on this website- it may also be understood as serving an important archive role. The IRA issued its order to decommission and abandon arms on the 28th of July 2005.
However it has not been until today an arguably older militia tendency & organisation (if in name only on) our island, the UVF and a smaller but no less murderous group "the Red Hand Comando" issued an equivalent order to their membership.
Ulster Volunteer Force & Red Hand Commando command staff.
The leadership of the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando today confirms it has completed the process of rendering ordnance totally, and irreversibly, beyond use.
This process was initiated in autumn 2008 when the Combined Loyalist Military Command was reconvened to address the outstanding issue of Loyalist military material. As a result of those discussions, all constituent parts agreed to set in place the internal arrangements necessary to begin the disarmament process.
In March 2009, all preparations were suspended following the attacks on UK citizens at Masserene Barracks and Craigavon. Assurances were sought from the Government, and from the Irish Government, that those responsible, in whatever jurisdiction, would be vigorously pursued and the failures of 1969 would not be revisited upon our community.
Only when forthright assurances were given, and it became clear that they would be honoured, did our process resume.
Across every operational area in Northern Ireland and in all regions of Great Britain; in conjunction with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning; in the presence of independent international witnesses and consistent with the modalities and schemes agreed upon by our interlocutor; the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando have now concluded that process.
We have done so to further augment the establishment of accountable democratic governance in this region of the United Kingdom; to remove the pretext that Loyalist weaponry is an obstacle to the development of our communities and to compound our legacy of integrity to the peace process.
We believe the significance and substance of our actions will satisfy the above objectives.
For God and Ulster.
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The conflict in Ireland from 1969 and 2001, saw 3523 killed.
of which 1020 people were killed by loyalist groups
There is as of yet no common memorial to these dead
nor day of equal remembrance.
c/f "the Absent" http://www.indymedia.ie/article/74873
Detailed list of Dead :-
http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Volunteer_Force
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hand_Commandos
Compare & Contrast :-
Feature article : "End To Armed Campaign" by P O Neill on behalf of the IRA, 28/7/09
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/71187?comment_order=des...ments