Weapons photographs 'never possible', states IRA

The IRA has said it “will not submit to a process of humiliation” by having the destruction of its arms photographed.

In a statement released following the British and Irish Governments published proposals for the restoration of devolution, the republican group said such photographs would not be possible.

“The IRA leadership decided to contribute in this way to a comprehensive agreement to resolve all outstanding issues, including those of concern within unionism,” the statement read. “For his part, Ian Paisley demanded that our contribution be photographed, and reduced to an act of humiliation.

“This was never possible. Knowing this, he made this demand publicly as the excuse for his rejection of an overall agreement to create a political context with the potential to remove the causes of conflict. As the IRA leadership has said before, this is a context in which Irish republicans and unionists can, as equals, pursue our respective political objectives peacefully.

"We restate our commitment to the peace process. But we will not submit to a process of humiliation.”

Yesterday’s press conference at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Premier Bertie Ahern saw the publication of a ‘timetable of events’ which would have saw the restoration of Northern Ireland’s institutions.

Mr Blair said that "remarkable progress” had been made towards an agreement, but that it was not yet complete.

DUP leader Ian Paisley said that any progress made was lost after Sinn Fein "pulled the plug" on the deal.

The North Antrim MP also said the IRA statement showed it "never had any intention of decommissioning".

“We were in the process of resolving these outstanding matters when Sinn Fein/IRA brought their discussions with the Government to an end,” Mr Paisley said.

“The outstanding issues on decommissioning were still under discussion yesterday when republicans pulled the plug on the deal. In these circumstances it is important that the Government should proceed on the basis that they have set out and with the parties which are willing to sign up to the arrangements.”

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the only obstacle which was now faced was the DUP's “unrealisable demand for the humiliation of Irish republicans”.

However, he said he agreed with Mr Blair’s assertion that “great work” had been done in everything that had been agreed in the run up to this week’s deadline.

“This is a good deal which reflects accurately the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement, including its power-sharing, all-Ireland and equality provisions,” the West Belfast MP said.

“"No one should be in any doubt that a mighty piece of work has been done. We must not lose this."

Secretary of State Paul Murphy is due to brief parliament on the failed negotiations for devolution.

Mr Murphy and Irish Foreign Minister, Dermot Ahern, are also planning to hold meetings with all the parties to try to assess the way forward.

(MB/SP)