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Brown: Soldiers' deaths will not shake the peace
Joe Murphy9 Mar 2009
Gordon Brown today shook hands with former IRA leader Martin McGuinness after visiting the spot where two soldiers were murdered.
The Prime Minister declared the peace process was "unshakeable" after visiting Massereene barracks at Antrim.
"What I've seen this morning is the unity of the people of Northern Ireland, and the unity of the political parties," he said.
"That they are going to continue to work together and they want to send out a message to the world - as I do - that the political process will not and never be shaken. In fact, the political process is now unshakeable."
Mr Brown's dash to Northern Ireland, to shore up the power-sharing peace deal that has transformed the province over the past decade, came amid complaints Mr McGuinness's ally in Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, had failed to condemn the murders.
The Sinn Fein president attempted to answer his critics today by expressing sympathy for the grieving families, but he courted more controversy by attacking the police for calling in special forces intelligence to counter the threat posed by the Real IRA splinter group.
Of the killings Mr Adams said: "It was wrong. It was counter-productive. My thoughts are with the families of the two men who were killed and who were injured."
He stressed that the Real IRA had "no support and no strategy".
But he criticised police chief Sir Hugh Orde for calling in "unaccountable and nondescript" special forces, saying such units had been involved in the deaths of IRA members.
Mr Adams said: "You do not understand the history if you do not understand that the involvement of those units in the past, totally unaccountable, has led to the same kind of suffering as that unfortunately being endured at this time by the families of those two British soldiers who were killed."
In an emotional meeting of the Northern Ireland Assembly, first minister Peter Robinson called for all sides to help the police. He branded the attacks "a futile act and a terrible waste".
"The events of Saturday evening were a throwback to a previous era. We must never return to such terrible days," he said. "The police need the support and cooperation of the entire community.
"Let the answer be loud and clear: We are not turning back."
Mr Brown focused on the political unity between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists, going from the barracks to Stormont talks with deputy first minister Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson.
"I think you will see whatever differences people have had in the past about political issues or these issues, that people are coming together today," Mr Brown said.
"This attack has not happened because of the failure of the political process, in many ways it is because of the success of the political process."
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward was making a statement about the deaths, the first British soldiers to be murdered in the province for 12 years, in Parliament.
Meanwhile a review of security at police and military bases was under way.
He said: "This is really a moment where we have to decide how we secure our future.
"This cowardly and appalling attack tells you everything you need to know about this evil group of criminals who will never succeed in derailing the peace process and political progress that has transformed Northern Ireland in recent years.
"The fact that they targeted not only soldiers but two pizza delivery men and, having fired an initial volley of shots, they then fired again at people lying helpless on the ground shows what an utterly callous and ruthless act this was."
Sir Hugh will hold talks with police leaders from the Irish Republic, including Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy, on Thursday to discuss cross-border strategies to tackle the dissidents.
Colin Parry, whose son Tim was killed at the age of 12 in an IRA bombing in Warrington in 1993, told GMTV the families of the British soldiers would feel "complete shock and bewilderment at the fact that the Real IRA have committed such a futile atrocity".
He said: "I am sure their sons were in Belfast almost as a break from Afghanistan or Iraq and it was seen probably as a safe haven."
Reader views (7)
I'm glad for Gordon Brown's support. I'm one who has many doubts & I'm not one for Gordon Brown if I'm honest but this came as a real shock to the country & I am glad of his awareness & support of Northern Ireland. We don't always see much of it.
- Emma, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 09/03/2009 16:41
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The United Kingdom should react to terrorism from Ireland the same way the United States did from Afghanistan.
- George, London, UK, 09/03/2009 16:20
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The usual 'wonks' give voice again. We almost know what you are going to post before you post it, you are so predictable. Did it not occur to you that Gordon Brown was showing support for the army in Northern Ireland.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 09/03/2009 14:44
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If the PM hadn't flown in, all the Brownophobes posting here would have been outraged. He really can't win, can he?
- Charlie, Soho, London, 09/03/2009 14:05
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Northern Ireland does not want Brown to get involved, as anything he touches turns into a disater!
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire, 09/03/2009 13:11
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What a ridiculous headline. Brown has absolutely no courage whatsoever. All he ever does as Prime Minister is about keeping him and his discredited loons in power. Bad luck Gordon, nobody likes you. As for Adams, there are few words worth wasting on such an unpleasant man.
- Mak, London, 09/03/2009 12:49
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Crash couldn't defy a jelly in a desserT dish - stop using clever words to make him more interesting ... it ain't working!
- Marianne, SW France, 09/03/2009 12:40
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