‘We need less parades, not more of them’
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Nationalist Councillors are opposed to any 'Welcome home' Parade for members of the Armed forces returning from Iraq. NCL3183S
Nationalist Councillors refuse to support British troops 'home-coming'
‘We need less parades, not more of them'
NATIONLIST and Unionist councillors in the borough are at loggerheads this week after proposals to bring a "welcome home" parade for local soldiers returning from Afghanistan.
Limavady Deputy Mayor and DUP Alderman George Robinson has called for full support for the event, which he says will "recognise the dedication" of soldiers fighting in the Middle -East war zone.
Nationalist representatives from the Limavady area disagree however, thrashing the proposed event as "a jingoistic celebration of an illegal war" stating the town needed less parades "not more of them".
Speaking on unionist calls for the "home coming" event, local economic spokesperson for Sinn Fein, Cllr Paddy Butcher said his party would in no way support any such event.
He said; "Last year there were over forty band parades in Limavady town. We need less of them not more of them. These parades make the town a no-go zone for the evening and are having a devastating effect on the local commercial and retail economy.
Furthermore we will not be supporting any jingoistic celebration of an illegal war. The British army should hang their head in shame not dance in the streets of Limavady town. Their government misled their own people and the United Nations over false claims about weapons of mass destruction. The consequence of this "oil grab" is that the stability of the region has been undermined for generations to come." continued Cllr Butcher
Cllr Butcher added that although he thought the withdrawing of British troops was a "positive development" he still felt forces should never have been deployed to Iraq in the first place.
"It is certainly not cause for celebration. It would be an insult to the ordinary people of Iraq who have had their country devastated by British occupation. The Nationalist and Republican people of Ireland can empathise with that."
SDLP Alderman Gerry Mullan echoed the Sinn Fein Councillors statements adding those calling for a parade, either locally or nationally, were trying to "satisfy a political agenda".
“The war in Iraq need not and should not have happened and has been a total disaster for everyone involved with many lives lost needlessly. With regards to a statement from Councillor Robinson I would like to say that I am very, very disappointed but not surprised that someone should try to satisfy a political agenda at those who lost lives at a time during particular conflict."
Alderman Robinson yesterday hit back at the claims, stating his support was in admiration for those who do a "hazardous job" with a "very poor financial reward"
He said; "This campaign is not about local politics or the causes of the conflicts in which our local troops are involved," says Ald. Robinson "it is about saying thank you to them for the service they do without question and with great pride and for very poor financial reward in the defence of freedom."
“Everyone in society must recognise the courage of our soldiers; they come from all political and religious backgrounds and without doubt do a very hazardous job''.
Ald Robinson adds; "There have also been many local soldiers who have returned home with dreadful wounds. I would hope that those soldiers would be given pride of place in any parade so that they can see their sacrifice is appreciated by all."
UUP councillor Edwin Stevenson backed up his Limavady Borough Council colleagues claims saying such an event or parade was "long overdue".
Cllr Stevenson said; "I would be very much in favour of a homecoming parade for soldiers. Its long over due and it is something we need to do to show our appreciation to the young men who have gave up their lives top fight for their country.
“Its not about whether war is right or war is wrong its about recognising the achievements of the soldiers who move away from their, home, their family and their friends to fight in highly dangerous situations and we should honour that." added the UUP man.
Cllr Boyd Douglas, from the town's UUC party, also was in favour of an appreciation parade.
“The soldiers are out there fighting on our behalf and should be appreciated. I would like to see parades or events in each of the six counties and would wonder why anyone wouldn't be in support of such an event."
