Res. No. 1312 Title Resolution calling upon the Royal Ulster Constabulary to divulge pertinent security information to the thirteen Belfast City Council members, four Lisburn Borough Council members and other Sinn Fein political figures that were issued death threats from loyalist paramilitaries. Body By The Speaker (Council Member Vallone) and Council Members Dear, Eisland, Freed, Marshall, Nelson and Stabile; also Council Members Cruz, Fisher, Koslowitz, Leffler, McCaffrey, Michels, O'Donovan, Quinn and Ognibene Whereas, On Thursday evening, April 6, 2000, the entire Sinn Fein party membership on the Belfast City Council and the Lisburn Borough Council as well as other Sinn Fein political figures were advised by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the police force of Northern Ireland, that they were the targets of death threats made by paramilitary loyalists and were being actively stalked; and Whereas, The serious nature of the threats has led Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams to warn all party members "to be extremely vigilant and careful," stating that he was "concerned at what appears to be a widespread, concerted threat from loyalist groups directed at Sinn Fein councillors, nationalist lawyers and ordinary citizens," according to the BBC News; and Whereas, Considering the nature of the politically motivated death threats within the context of the extremely volatile political situation in Northern Ireland, the RUC needs to divulge all pertinent information regarding the highly individual threats to all persons targeted in order to protect their safety and their families' safety; and Whereas, Allegedly, the RUC has chosen to reveal only the bare minimum facts regarding the death threats to the targeted thirteen members of the Belfast City Council, the four members of the Lisburn Borough Council, the two members of the Craigovan Council, one member of the Upper Bann Assembly and one former member of the Derry City Council; and Whereas, Additionally, according to sources, all targeted council members and Sinn Fein politicians have been denied access to the Key Persons Protection Scheme with the exception of one Belfast council member who has been under its protection for one year after several attempts were made on his life by loyalist paramilitaries; the Key Persons Protection Scheme is a government program that provides special security services for elected officials and other public figures who are in great personal danger; and Whereas, Unfortunately, this refusal to divulge pertinent information such as which paramilitary loyalist organization has issued the threats or whether the organization is a major, highly organized group or a small splinter group, follows a pattern of RUC reluctance to grant basic rights to Sinn Fein party members and nationalist supporters who receive loyalist threats; and Whereas, During the period of 1989 to 1993, a total of thirteen Sinn Fein members, including 3 elected council members were killed by paramilitary loyalists; and Whereas, Allegations of collusion between the RUC and loyalist paramilitary groups have already surfaced in regard to the assassinations of nationalist lawyers Patrick Finucane and Rosemary Nelson and it is imperative that every step be taken to avoid any such tragedy from ever occurring again; and Whereas, By denying the targeted parties access to potentially life-saving information, they are being denied their basic rights to know the details of the threats made against them and it is simply unacceptable and irresponsible that the RUC not divulge this critical information; and Whereas, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson should immediately issue a statement in support of divulging all pertinent information to the targeted council members and nationalist supporters and he should call for all of these members to be placed under the immediate protection of the Key Persons Protection Scheme; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Royal Ulster Constabulary to divulge pertinent security information to the thirteen Belfast City Council members, four Lisburn Borough Council members and other Sinn Fein political figures that were issued death threats from loyalist paramilitaries. MW:bg LS#2959 D-Res.#4 4/24/00 |10
13| - 3 -