David Trimble
No "halfway house" between violence and democracy
David Trimble has said Tony Blair must ensure that there can be no "halfway house" between democracy and violence for paramilitaries.
The Ulster Unionist leader was speaking following talks at Downing Street this morning with the British Prime Minister and the Northern Secretary.
The Taoiseach and Mr Blair are due to chair a round of talks between the pro-agreement parties at Hillsborough tomorrow.
Mr Trimble said this morning's meeting was designed "to set the scene" for tomorrow's talks.
Mr Trimble said that Mr Blair had to deal with the ongoing violence, in the short term. He said that, in the medium term, he had to make the IRA understand that there could be no "halfway house" between violence and democracy.
When asked what the consequences for Republicans would be, Mr Trimble said Mr Blair should recall the precedent in spring 1998 when Sinn Féin was suspended from the talks because of IRA violence.
