UUP leader calls halt in process over IRA arms

Northern Ireland's peace process was reawakened with aplomb yesterday and, with its carefully scripted exchanges, two premiers on standby for the lawn handshake and international press pack on call, it appeared to be a done deal – but for the issue of paramilitary weapons.

In the morning, a speech by Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams got the ball rolling. He restated republican commitment to the process and renounced all forms of violence – a close approximation to a 'war is over' statement for both the British government and UUP, which they acknowledged.

Then followed the IRA statement reinforcing Mr Adams's words, and then came the act of decommissioning and the report by Gen John de Chastelain's International Independent Commission on Decommissioning. Then it all ground to an unexpected halt.

At a late afternoon press conference, which had been delayed by some hours, UUP leader David Trimble revealed that the process was on hold as the decommissioning report did not supply sufficient transparency on the nature and quantity of the arms put beyond use.

Gen de Chastelain's report referred to a disposal considerably larger than previously, but he did not offer an inventory as the IRA had requested discretion.

Yesterday's events were described as nothing more than a "glitch" by the British Prime Minister, and there is no change to the November 26 election date.

Mr Trimble has announced that an extraordinary meeting of the UUP convention will take place next week to discuss the issue.

Talks will be rejoined today in an attempt to resolve the issue.

(gmcg)