In a defence of the action which recognized the emotive nature of the case, the Unionist said:

Both sides have maintained a cease-fire for more than two years, but the Unionists say disarming is a necessary condition for any resumption of power sharing.

"Unionists and Nationalists, native-born Irish and immigrants, to all of you, I say again, you cannot win by making your neighbor lose."

For the past 23 years Unionists have been saying exactly the same thing with regard to both security policy and political policy.

But the ordinary modern Unionist does not say, "There ought to be a good English government in Ireland."

The Unionists say they cannot let a party with a private army into government.

"These Unionists," Marcinik said, and Silence heard the same disorientation in his voice.

There were other areas of concern which, in an ideal world, should be addressed, the Unionists said.

Unionists said they were never consulted, and more than 150,000 protesters converged on Belfast following the agreement, to assert their dismay and anger with London.

Unionists said this gave Sinn Fein an improper advantage.