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Date Posted: Thursday, June 02, 22:12:41
Author: Danielle Ni Dhighe
Subject: PUP and IRSP in Talks to Defuse Tensions

Belfast Telegraph
2 June 2005

PUP and IRSP in Talks to Defuse Tensions
By Brendan McDaid

Political groups representing the UVF and the INLA in Londonderry
have made a historic pact during face to face talks to help dilute
tensions ahead of this summer's marching season.

The PUP's Londonderry spokesman Leslie Mitchell today said that the
first meeting with the Irish Republican Socialist Party had been
constructive, with more discussions set to follow.

And he also called on a shadowy loyalist group calling itself the
Loyalist Action Force to disband.

The IRSP also confirmed they would now use their influence to help
quell violence at flashpoint interface areas of the city.

The meeting between the two groups was called after loyalists in
Derry's Waterside claimed they were under surveillance from the INLA
in the city.

Mr Mitchell said: "This was the first time the groups have ever got
together down here.

"Members of the loyalist community felt they were being targeted and
being watched and felt it was coming from within the INLA.

"The IRSP have confirmed after speaking with the INLA representatives
that this was not the case and we are taking that on board and
accepting that.

"Whether it was a case of individuals trying to wind people up, we
don't know."

Mr Mitchell said the groups discussed meeting in the future and
agreed to keep the new channels of communication between them open.

"Both parties felt this was very important coming up to the marching
season" he said, adding: "We both expressed a willingness to work to
try to defuse tensions.

"The PUP are already heavily involved in this type of work and we
have done a bit of work with Sinn Fein.

"The IRSP have said that any influence they have they will use it as
well."

Confirming this, a spokesman for the IRSP said: "We were approached
for a meeting and met at a neutral venue last week.

"The meeting was cordial and constructive enough.

"We discussed certain issues with them, and told them there was no
members of the INLA involved in watching them.

"We also talked about the IRSP using its influence with young people
in certain areas to tackle any upsurge in stonings."

The IRSP said that while "nothing concrete" had been sorted out it
was quite possible the two groups would meet again.

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