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Loyalists 'left behind' since Good Friday Agreement Loyalists 'left behind' since Good Friday Agreement
(about 1 hour later)
Loyalists were left behind economically and ignored politically since the Good Friday Agreement, Tony Blair's former chief of staff has said.Loyalists were left behind economically and ignored politically since the Good Friday Agreement, Tony Blair's former chief of staff has said.
Jonathan Powell was speaking at the launch of a new loyalist community council on Tuesday.Jonathan Powell was speaking at the launch of a new loyalist community council on Tuesday.
It has the backing of the three main loyalist paramilitary groups, the UDA, the UVF and the Red Hand Commando.It has the backing of the three main loyalist paramilitary groups, the UDA, the UVF and the Red Hand Commando.
They said they are "re-committing" to the 1998 Agreement and "eschew all violence and criminality".They said they are "re-committing" to the 1998 Agreement and "eschew all violence and criminality".
Who are the UVF?Who are the UVF?
Who are the UDA?Who are the UDA?
Reaction to loyalist initiative
According to the book Lost Lives, between 1966 and 1999, the UVF and an affiliate group, the Red Hand Commando, killed 547 people.According to the book Lost Lives, between 1966 and 1999, the UVF and an affiliate group, the Red Hand Commando, killed 547 people.
The launch of the council had been timed to coincide with the 21st anniversary of the loyalist ceasefire in October 1994.The launch of the council had been timed to coincide with the 21st anniversary of the loyalist ceasefire in October 1994.
More than 50 people have been killed by loyalist paramilitary groups since their ceasefires.More than 50 people have been killed by loyalist paramilitary groups since their ceasefires.
The vast majority of those were Protestants. Eight of them, all civilians, were Catholic.The vast majority of those were Protestants. Eight of them, all civilians, were Catholic.
About half of the Protestants killed were linked to paramilitary organisations.About half of the Protestants killed were linked to paramilitary organisations.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Powell said it was the "last best chance" to include loyalists left behind by the peace process.Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Powell said it was the "last best chance" to include loyalists left behind by the peace process.
He said: "Some may argue that these organisations should just disappear. The experience from around the world suggests that would be a mistake.He said: "Some may argue that these organisations should just disappear. The experience from around the world suggests that would be a mistake.
"Other violent groups would simply take over the names UVF, UDA and the Red Hand Commando and carry on with paramilitarism."Other violent groups would simply take over the names UVF, UDA and the Red Hand Commando and carry on with paramilitarism.
"We really don't want to see a Real UVF and a Continuity UDA."We really don't want to see a Real UVF and a Continuity UDA.
"It is far better that the groups continue but there is no criminality; there is no violence; they continue in a civil fashion.""It is far better that the groups continue but there is no criminality; there is no violence; they continue in a civil fashion."
The joint statement said the groups have "a desire to make a meaningful contribution to reversing this situation".The joint statement said the groups have "a desire to make a meaningful contribution to reversing this situation".
An NIO spokesperson said the government is willing to give a cautious welcome to proposals aimed at moving different groups away from crime.An NIO spokesperson said the government is willing to give a cautious welcome to proposals aimed at moving different groups away from crime.
AmazedAmazed
On Monday, the UKIP MLA David McNarry said the loyalist move had been in preparation for 18 months and had taken so long to develop because the three paramilitary organisations had needed to consult their members.On Monday, the UKIP MLA David McNarry said the loyalist move had been in preparation for 18 months and had taken so long to develop because the three paramilitary organisations had needed to consult their members.
"I was totally amazed to find that membership stood at thousands of people," he said."I was totally amazed to find that membership stood at thousands of people," he said.
"I respected their need to go and consult, and this is a result of that consultation."I respected their need to go and consult, and this is a result of that consultation.
"There will always be people in these types of organisations who won't be happy - I happen to believe they're in a very small minority today.""There will always be people in these types of organisations who won't be happy - I happen to believe they're in a very small minority today."
He also challenged the Provisional IRA to make a similar declaration of intent.He also challenged the Provisional IRA to make a similar declaration of intent.
Mr McNarry said Mr Powell had been persuaded to get involved because he felt loyalists had been left behind.Mr McNarry said Mr Powell had been persuaded to get involved because he felt loyalists had been left behind.