Nationalist politicians have reacted angrily to the loyalist gun attack in north Belfast, in which one man was killed, and have urged Catholics to be vigilant. The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, said he was appalled by the shooting and other violence. "People who are carrying out these murders obviously want a complete restoration of violence and the victims will be totally innocent people.
"Their objective is to derail the peace process. That should strengthen the will not only of all the political parties but of the vast majority of people not to be knocked off course . . ."
The SDLP vice-chairman, Mr Martin Morgan, warned of further attacks. "The nationalist community must remain calm and vigilant and those in outlying areas should look out for their neighbours at this time of sectarian tension," he said.
Sinn Fein made similar warnings. Its president, Mr Gerry Adams, said the gun attack had been an attempt at mass murder. A heavy responsibility now lay with the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, to fill the political vacuum and "stop blocking progress in the talks".
A Sinn Fein talks delegate, Mr Gerry Kelly, was quoted by the Press Association after the shooting as saying it had "shattered" the peace process. But in a statement yesterday he said his party remained committed to the process.
"There is an onerous responsibility on the two governments, but particularly the British, to push forward with the negotiations," he said. The Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said: "We will keep our nerve".
However, a spokesman for Republican Sinn Fein said the attack highlighted the "bogus nature" of the peace process. "The nationalist nightmare is obviously continuing," he said. "It looks as if there will be more of these brutal, sectarian attacks in 1998. They have not been stopped by the peace process. There has to be an end to British interference in Ireland if there is to be true and lasting peace."
The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, said he was not surprised by the attack. "I condemn all titfor-tat killings. I think, however, it is inevitable that there is going to be retaliation for the murder in the Maze prison of Billy Wright."
Mr Ken Maginnis of the UUP said everyone had been holding their breath after Wright's killing. "We all knew the danger there was of retaliation and extended retaliation because the Loyalist Volunteer Force had said it would exact revenge," he said.
Mr Maginnis thought there would be more attacks. He said there was a lack of confidence within the entire Northern community in which "terrorism can flourish". He appealed to the British government to ensure that the "dispiriting spectacle of concessions to terrorism" ceases.
The Church of Ireland primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, said the North was "at the beginning of a very dark and dangerous period" after the killing. He pointed to a "deep feeling of resentment" in the Protestant community over its treatment in the peace process.
Those responsible for the killings "do not represent the majority in either of our communities who are desperately trying to find a way to live in peace and harmony together". He hoped "goodness and decency" could save the situation. The vast majority of Protestants were opposed to sectarian violence, he said. However, he urged both governments to listen to the "deep fears" of many Protestants about the peace process.
The Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Walsh, said the attack was an "appalling and inexcusable act". He called on politicians to redouble their efforts to work for peace.
The Alliance Party called for an urgent resumption of the Stormont talks, which are due to restart on January 12th. "While gunmen stalk the streets, politicians have a duty to try and do something constructive," said party spokesman, Dr Philip McGarry.
Families Against Intimidation and Terror described the killing as "despicable and appalling". The Workers' Party said it was a "brutal and bloody act of sectarianism, designed to murder and maim as many innocent people as possible".
The RUC deputy assistant chief constable, Mr George Livingstone, described the attack as "utter madness". He said: "Let this be the end of it, for all our sakes. For our part, the police will devote whatever it takes to bring to justice those who would threaten the safety of this society.
"To do that, we need the goodwill of all who recognise the danger that faces us from the maniacs who pose as defenders or avengers but who are in reality merely the merchants of death and despair."