US committed to terrorists in North assembly - Paisley

Democratic Unionist leader Rev Ian Paisley said today he believed the US government remains committed to having terrorists in…

Democratic Unionist leader Rev Ian Paisley said today he believed the US government remains committed to having terrorists in the Northern Ireland administration.

He was speaking after an hour-long meeting with US Presidential envoy Mr Richard Haass.

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But when it came to matters regarding Colombia and the present situation, his manner was distinctly different.
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DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley

But the DUP leader said he believed there would be a change in policy towards the IRA in the aftermath of the yesterday's terrorist attack in New York and Washington, and the recent arrest of three suspected members in Colombia.

"He (Mr Haass) is committed at this moment to support the terrorists in the government of Northern Ireland who will not decommission their arms.

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"But when it came to matters regarding Colombia and the present situation, his manner was distinctly different," he said.

Mr Haass was continuing to meet political leaders in Northern Ireland today.

He later met with the Ulster Unionist Party to discuss the continuing crisis in the political process, but neither he, nor the party delegation commented afterwards.

Mr Paisley, who held prayers before the meeting and passed on a message of condolence to US President, George W Bush, said he did not believe Mr Haass was guilty of double standards towards terrorism.

"I think that it was the pressures of the day."

PA