Allister tells Brussels to stay clear of terrorist shine
01 September 2008
Prompted by reports that the DUP and Sinn Fein might do a deal to preserve the “conflict resolution centre” (official speak for terrorist shrine) at the Maze, while not proceeding with the Stadium, and that such might be funded from Europe, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister raised the issue at the start of the first sitting of the new term of the European Parliament in Brussels.
Referring to the fact that the matter had been cited approvingly in the EU Task Force Report and deliberately using the language of Nigel Dodds MP from a statement in June 2007, Mr Allister said, “However it is dressed up, whatever spin is deployed, the preservation of a section of the H-Blocks – including the hospital wing – would become a shrine to the terrorists who committed suicide in the Maze in the 1980s. That would be obnoxious to the vast majority of people and is something unionist people cannot accept.”
In the course of his remarks the TUV Leader said:-
“The EU, often with good intentions, shows interest in Northern Ireland. However, today I warn it against funding a project of immense divisive potential. I refer to the foolish embracing in the EU Task Force Report, at the behest of the DUP/Sinn Fein leaders of the Northern Ireland Executive, of possible support for a so called “conflict resolution centre” at the site of the former prison at the Maze.
However it is dressed up, whatever spin is deployed, the preservation of a section of the H-Blocks – including the hospital wing – would become a shrine to the terrorists who committed suicide in the Maze in the 1980s. That would be obnoxious to the vast majority of people and is something unionist people cannot accept.
Thus I caution the Commission against itself meddling with such an explosive issue and being used by those anxious to hide behind the EU in delivering something which shall severely set back relations in Northern Ireland.”
Having perceived the possible content of the DUP/Sinn Fein deal on the Maze, back on 6 August Jim Allister wrote to First Minister Robinson in the following terms:-
Dear First Minister,
In regard to the future of the Maze site, can you assure me that the so-called "centre for conflict transformation" will not proceed. I trust we are agreed that no project capable of glorifying terrorism warrants support and that the inextricable link between this proposal and the retention of the foolishly listed buildings at the Maze would attach to any such centre this ignominious role.
Perhaps, therefore, you could advise me on what steps have been taken to reverse previous departmental support for this objectionable centre and can you assure me that with or without the Maze stadium proceeding, this centre will not be built.
Yours sincerely,
There has been a deafening silence from the First Minister. The key question is "How did a DUP First Minister permit such a proposition to go to Brussels and be part of what is in the Task Force Report?"
With or without the stadium it is utterly unacceptable that a "conflict transformation centre", based on the H-Blocks, proceeds. It inevitably, as the DUP formerly recognised, would become a republican shrine for the hunger strikers and their other terrorist butchers. If housing is added to such a site then it will be so branded by the shrine as to become a cold house for unionist housebuyers. Slowly, but surely, the Maze area itself would be transformed into a republican hub.
