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S. E. A. Statements

VICTORY FOR NON-PAYMENT - Water charges postponed!

STATEMENT BY EAMONN McCANN, vice-chairman Derry Trades Council, on agreement by Peter Hain to postpone water charges for a year if an Executive is formed.

Tuesday March 20th.. 2007

"This is a great victory for the non-payment campaign. All who have been involved in building the trade union and community movement against water charges are to be congratulated.

"The non-payment demonstrations in Derry, Belfast and Strabane on March 31st can now go ahead as victory rallies---and as displays of determination that this will not be a postponment but a permanent abandonment of water charges and privatisation.

"The political parties which told people to pay must now ensure that every penny paid is paid back.

"We have known for some time that the Northern Ireland Office and the Water Reform Unit of the DRD have been shaken by the strength of the non-payment campaign. They know that if people refuse to pay, the plan for privatisation will collapse. We have won the first round decisively. The privatisers are weakened. We must now go for the knock-out.

"We will press on and ensure that water charges are abandoned entirely, by keeping the trade union focus on the issue and strengthening community organisations for non-payment. Peter Hain should take note that whether there's an Executive or not, water charges won't be acceptable.





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