Appeasing Terrorism

Tony Blair sure knows how to fall to his knees and whimper in the face of terrorists-

MPs have voted in favour of two government motions aimed at restoring Westminster allowances worth about £500,000 to Sinn Fein's five MPs.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government was implementing the recommendations of the Independent Monitoring Commission's report.

Blair has a particularly odd view of the IMC report. While MP Nigel Dodds said,

"Giving the confirmation of continued illegality, criminality, spying and racketeering, practiced and sanctioned at the highest level, by senior members of Sinn Fein/IRA; will the prime minister note what was in the IMC report and read it instead of spinning it?"

Blair's response was that evidence of this continued terrorist activity- and the IMC's assertion that despite their claims the IRA had retained some of their weapons;

"It is absolutely correct that they (the IMC) draw attention to (IRA) criminal activity and we made it clear that was a significant problem," he said.

"However the report also says of the IMC: 'We are of the firm view that the present PIRA leadership has taken the strategic decision to end the armed campaign and pursue the political course which it has publicly articulated.'

"So if one's being fair and balanced, I think both things have to be put into the equation."

So let me get this straight- Tony Blair is presented with evidence that the IRA is continuing to spy, to engage in criminal activities, and that they have lied about destroying all of their weapons, but he goes on to insist that it's only fair that all of this criminal, terrorist activity is ignored completely and the Sinn Fein/IRA MPs not only get their money- and have it backdated- but they are also discussing giving them an extra £80,000 a year for their "representative business".

This is the same Sinn Fein/IRA which cannot sit in the Houses of Parliament because they refuse to take the oath of office. An oath which I'm appalled to say that a Conservative MP is suggesting is altered for their benefit.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said he did not envisage any circumstances ever in the future in which any Sinn Fein MP would take their seat.

Mr McGuinness said, while it was quite legitimate for Sinn Fein elected representatives to go to Westminster to engage with other parties, they did not recognise the right of the British Parliament to rule over any part of Ireland.

Well, in that case, here's your wages and, hey, have a little something extra on the UK taxpayers- New Labour sure is terrified you'll go back to bombing and murdering us.

Tony Blair- tough on terrorism? Or a pathetic coward?