Leader's address (edited): This is the 35th anniversary of the birth of the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party.
As I look back over those stormy 35 years, I am reminded of some lines of Shakespeare, and I would make them my own. They briefly set out my sentiments:
Let come what will,
I mean to bear it out.
And either live with
Glorious victory,
Or die with fame,
Renown'd in chivalry.
He is not worthy of
The honeycomb
That shuns the hive
Because the bees have stings.
During the past 35 years we have certainly learned that the bees have stings. We have been stung on many occasions by journalistic bees, by government bees and republican bees and wasps and swarms of others, yet we have survived to enjoy the honey. I can say for myself and for my party, we have not shunned the hive because these bees have stings.
Let me take you to what was once the premier hotel in Belfast, the Grand Central Hotel in Royal Avenue. It closed down that night forever. Things in our province had taken a terrible turn into the dark pit of bloodthirsty republican terrorism.
In an upstairs room, the United Ulster Unionist Alliance was having a meeting, and the leaders of the three unionist parties - the Official Unionist, the Vanguard Unionist and the Protestant Unionist - and members of the loyal orders were present. Mr Desmond Boal QC MP presided. Mr Bill Craig, Mr Harry West and I represented our parties.
The business on the table was whether or not there should be a new United Unionist Party. At the end of the meeting there was an overwhelming majority that such a party should be launched. Only the Protestant Unionists and some members of the loyal orders carried out their pledge; the others reneged. That night, the IRA blew up a public house on the Shankill Road and committed more murders.
Outside, amid the wreckage, I announced the decision that was taken earlier that night.
The Democratic Unionist Party was born in conflict and, unlike others, will never surrender to Ulster's enemies. When I say that, I say what we mean, and we mean what we say. There can be no compromise, because compromise on the vital issue of democracy is surrender. Never surrender to IRA/Sinn Féin murderers.
We say to our government: away with double talk and falsehood. Act upon your promises of refusing a place in any government to terrorist criminals. You cannot deceive the unionist people any longer.
If ever the eternal truth was vindicated, it was vindicated in the past few hours. "The hidden things of darkness will be brought to light."
Evil cannot be covered, falsehood will be uncovered. Government spinning cannot destroy the truth. Downing Street drugs cannot kill; Northern Ireland Office inoculations cannot succeed. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth can immunise lovers of truth from the big lie.
When I look back over the last month, I see the mighty host of forces intent on pushing down the throats of the Ulster people the blatant lie that the IRA has decommissioned all its weapons.
That falsehood was so blatant even Lord Haw Haw would have blushed to utter it.
How could those whitewashing IRA murderers be so arrogant. Who could tell how many weapons the IRA had in the first place when no inventory was revealed or made? If all were decommissioned, why did the IRA fear total transparency? The rage of McGuinness and Adams shows that the DUP hit the bull's eye and the bells rang. But it seems that McGuinness is interested at the moment in another part of the bull.
The publication of the IMC and the IICD reports have illuminated the activities and evil deeds of the IRA and the so-called loyalist groups. Isn't it interesting that the very bodies set up by the government have highlighted that government's spin and lying?
The government has been telling us that the ongoing IRA reign of error is being carried out without the knowledge of Sinn Féin/IRA leadership. The IMC report states clearly that these activities are authorised by the leadership and involve some very senior members.
The report also states that serious organised crime involves members and former members of the PIRA and that senior members are involved in money-laundering and other crime. This terrorism and criminality goes right to the very top. The IRA continues its intelligence-gathering and directing its spying at furthering its political strategy, yet they expect us to believe that they are committed to democratic means alone. Their continuing targeting of public and other institutions should surely be a warning to the government that the reinstating of Sinn Féin allowances is nothing short of folly.
I am a devolutionist. My party has always been a strong advocate of devolution. Ulster men and women making decisions for Ulster people is the best way forward.
Our proposals paper sets out a number of alternative ways to move forward. It outlines a system which shows the way to stable and efficient government.
I have said on numerous occasions that I will talk to and listen to other democratic parties in any talks process. Both the British and Irish governments must also play their part be delivering fairness and equality to unionists. Both governments must accept that unionists will not be forced back into the failed structures of the Belfast Agreement.
Bertie Ahern, your writ does not run here in loyal Ulster. Any man that talks to Sinn Féin or the Dublin government about the internal affairs of Northern Ireland is a traitor.
What is ours we hold: not an inch, no surrender.
To those who say we will not work with our Roman Catholic fellow countrymen, let me say that we will work with all democrats, regardless of where they come from, but we will have no truck with those who pursue terror and criminality.
There are challenges to be faced in the coming days. We will not shrink from our duties and responsibilities and look forward with renewed confidence to a better day, when we will see real peace and democracy restored to our beloved province.
Down through the years I have always endeavoured to be honest and straightforward with the Ulster people. I do not need to emphasise that they can all rest assured that I will be speaking on their behalf in the forthcoming talks. I will be firm but fair. This is the last chance to get it right. Whatever time it takes, we must take it. IRA/Sinn Féin has taken years. Unionists must take time to deal with such a far-reaching decision.
Since our last conference in this venue our party has continued to provide the strong and decisive leadership that is expected from Ulster's largest political party. Our representation in local government, by our Assembly team, in Westminster and in Europe is unmatched.
Through the darkest days of our province's recent history we maintained our principles and integrity in the face of all the attacks mounted against us. We will not deviate from our adherence to traditional unionist principle and will continue to build on this rock. All other rocks are shamrocks.
We say to our enemies: you cannot buy us, you cannot bribe us, you cannot break us, you cannot beat us.
All around the world today the United States and the United Kingdom are busy spreading the message of democratic values. I support them in their endeavours. But I say to Mr Blair and Mr Bush that Northern Ireland will not settle for second best. We will not accept terrorists in our government. Those engaged in terror and organised crime are terrorists and must be treated accordingly. You cannot be anti-terrorist in the whole world with the exception of Northern Ireland. There will be no inclusive executive with Sinn Féin as long as the IRA is in business and engaged in criminality. The day for the inclusive executive on such a basis is over forever. It is buried in a Sadducee's grave from which there is no resurrection.
The foundation of the agreement stinks in the grave, dug with the spade of truth.