Mowlam concerned at UDA statement on ceasefire

The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, has expressed concern about a UDA statement that it is to reassess its attitude to the peace process over Christmas. A UDA spokesman released on Christmas parole yesterday said its ceasefire was "very shaky".

Dr Mowlam, in expressing anxiety about the UDA warning, indicated there could be British government movement on loyalist prisoners. "I have listened to the views of both unionist (loyalist) parties and I will go away and think about it, which is what I am doing," she said yesterday.

The UDA warning came on top of a threat from the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) to withdraw from the talks and a call by some Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MPs to pull out of the process. These warnings prompted the British and Irish governments to try and calm loyalist concerns.

UDA prisoners were among 160 republican and loyalist prisoners released from the Maze for a 10day Christmas parole yesterday. While the parole period is three days longer this year, this did nothing to mollify loyalists.

After reading a formal statement warning that the paramilitary group was to reconsider its attitude to the peace process, Mr Billy Adams, a UDA prisoner, said the UDA ceasefire was under threat.

"The ceasefire is very shaky at the moment. Things seem to be going the way of republicans and this is the most dangerous phase since the talks started. There are dangerous times ahead," he said outside the Maze yesterday morning.

Responding to the loyalist concerns over Monday and Tuesday, Dr Mowlam held meetings with the PUP and the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP), which respectively represent the UVF and UDA.

Loyalist ire was fuelled by the Irish Government decision to grant early release to nine republican prisoners and to allow parole to an additional 10 IRA prisoners. This was further inflamed by the announcement yesterday that seven IRA prisoners are to be transferred from jails in Britain to the Republic in the New Year.

In the light of the loyalist anger, the Government was also keen to stress that it acknowledges the loyalist frustrations. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, is to have an early meeting with the PUP "to clear up misunderstandings that may have arisen in relations between the Government and the PUP".

After similar anger was expressed by the UDP yesterday, it is expected that Mr Andrews will also want to meet senior UDP figures to discuss their concerns.

Loyalist sources indicated that the threats were not mere "sabrerattling" and that they should be taken seriously.

Loyalist frustration is primarily founded on their perception that in relation to confidence-building measures, republicans have won more concessions.

This was reflected in the UDA statement, which warned that the organisation was reassessing its attitude to the "faltering talks process". The UDA complained that the talks "in their present form were working to a republican agenda of appeasement and constant concession to Sinn Fein/IRA".

"We have witnessed British government concessions to the republicans on all fronts, be it a reduction in security levels or the erosion of political and cultural identity. We ask, therefore, where is the parity of esteem for loyalism and its prisoners of the conflict?" the statement added.

Despite this ominous statement, Mr Gary McMichael, leader of the UDP, political wing of the UDA, said his party remained committed to the talks. After his meeting with Dr Mowlam he indicated, however, that this commitment was under severe strain.

"There is a growing feeling within unionism and loyalism that the government is valuing the concerns of nationalism above those of loyalism and unionism. Within the loyalist community there is a serious feeling of alienation - people are starting to question the value of this peace process."

Andrews contacts PUP leader; Mark Brennock analysis: Page 7 Editorial comment: Page 13