However it is dressed up, Maze will be republican shrine.
02 August 2010
Allister Highlights TUV Warning on Shrine and Recalls how preservation of the H-blocks as part of development of the Maze was once rejected by DUP as something which “however it is dressed up…would become a shrine to the terrorists.”
Specific challenge to Dodds on his past stand.
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“We have just witnessed one of the most shameful climb downs by the DUP since coming to power with IRA/Sinn Fein. Gifting the IRA retention of their citadel of rebellion, which the H-blocks have come to epitomise, as the price of development at the Maze, is as obnoxious as it is craven.
“I have long warned that such would happen, because in the end this DUP will do whatever it takes to cling to power, any power, at Stormont. And, as this was Sinn Fein’s price they have rolled over, again.
“As far back as early 2007 I warned of what would “amount to a shrine to terrorism, in the so-called "Long Kesh Visitor Centre"” (April 23rd 2007 http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=622).
“I was the first politician to call for then DUP Environment Minister Arlene Foster to delist the Maze in June 2007 (http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=678) and the first to highlight the extremely questionable nature of the decision to list them in the first place:
“On the 21st January 2005 the Historic Building Council voted 5 to 1 against listing any of the buildings on the Maze site because they did “not feel that the buildings in the complex were unique nor had they any special architectural value”. At a subsequent meeting of the HBC this decision was reversed because the Chairman “suggested there was a need for members to focus on the criteria for historic interest rather than special architectural interest”.
“The Department's Listing Criteria makes it clear that a building will not have to meet all of the criteria "but a listed building will normally meet several". The buildings at the Maze patently do not qualify under "Age" or "Architectural Interest" and are said only to qualify in respect of "Historic Interest". However, DOE’s own Listing Criteria expressly states "usually a building will meet other criteria as well as being of historic interest. Where this is not the case the historic associations must be strong."
“Of course, it is interesting to note why the listed buildings at the Maze were considered to be of historical interest.
“The consultant’s report states that H-Block 6 is of interest because it “was one of three involved in the Dirty Protest. It was also the H-Block from which 38 inmates escaped in 1983, the biggest escape in British Penal history”. The escape referred to here was, of course, the infamous breakout in which the DUP’s ministerial colleague, Gerry Kelly, shot a prison officer in the head. The report also states that “the hospital has historical significance due to its role in the hunger strike protest where numerous prisoners died”.
“Little wonder that the original request for listing came from Sinn Fein/IRA’s Paul Butler – a man who served time in the Maze for killing an RUC officer!” (http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=808).
“As an MEP I also took the opportunity to raise the matter in Brussels (http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=1146)
“And claims by the DUP that there is now nothing for Unionists to be concerned about do not square with the position of that party in the past.
“When the stadium project was jettisoned it was patently because the DUP could not agree to the Conflict Transformation Centre. Indeed, many prominent DUP politicians made their position clear, only now to again play the role of snowmen.
“So why the change now? Clearly, it is part of the ongoing process of concession to IRA/Sinn Fein essential to keeping the Stormont Regime intact.
“In truth this is a monumental roll over by the DUP and a massive victory for Sinn Fein/IRA.
“I must specifically challenge the DUP Deputy Leader, Nigel Dodds, to declare his present position. In June 2007 Mr Dodds perceptively said this, “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.”
"Today we are seeing unbelievable spin deployed to dress up the very uturn and deception which Mr Dodds, and others, promised would never happen.
“Sadly, not only will terrorism be glorified on the Maze site, but its potential as a huge multi-use development will be blighted by its predominant association with the republican shrine. I fear the ‘cold house for unionist house buyers’ persona which will brand the site will even affect the anticipated housing development and in consequence we will see what in time will be the new Poleglass of Lisburn emerge at the Maze. That will be some legacy from Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP!
“The Maze site has great potential, but it can only be achieved if it is cleansed of its affiliation with the IRA campaign by the demolition of the ugly buildings which so blight it. So, I repeat my call for delisting and demolition. Why is retention of the buildings so important if there is a genuine interest in forward looking development? The truth is that Sinn Fein support for development at the Maze is conditional on them getting their way on retention of their citadel of terror.
“The DUP started down this road of betrayal when its First Minister agreed to inclusion of support for the Conflict Resolution Centre being included in the EU Task Force Report. Now, that folly is coming home to roost. For years the DUP has tried to deny the outworking of their foolish support for this project at EU level, but now even those conned by the spin and false assurances should be able to see who was right.”
