Trimble Should Abandon 'Ourselves Alone' Stance: Ford

12.00.00am GMT Thu 6th Feb 2003

Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has called upon Ulster Unionist Party Leader, David Trimble, to abandon his 'ourselves alone' approach to achieving confidence building measures from Republicans, and to instead build wider coalitions with liked minded parties throughout these islands.

"The concerns expressed by David Trimble regarding the need for real and substantial confidence building measures from Republicans are not unique to the Ulster Unionists, but are shared throughout the wider community."

"While there is substantial sympathy within the demands being made by Mr Trimble, there is bewilderment at the tactics he is purusing. It essentially an 'ourselves alone' strategy, and using the negative strategy that the institutions cannot be restored without unionist consent."

"Over the past number of weeks, I have been impressed by the comments emanating from a number of parties in all parts of the British Isles, especially some of the opposition parties in the Republic of Ireland within the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, on the need for Republicans to once and for all make a decision between the path of democracy and the path of paramilitarism."

"David Trimble's time would more productively spend in engaging with all of the liked-minded parties in these islands, and creating a strong coalition that will put pressure on Republicans for major acts of completion in the crucial weeks ahead."

ENDS.