Trimble tells republicans to 'sort out the mess'

Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble has told republicans to "sort out the mess they've created, once and for all".

Addressing North Down Ulster Unionist Association AGM in Bangor last night, a bullish Mr Trimble said there could be no "inch-by-inch" negotiation and what was required were "acts of completion" and not "acts of beginning".

Following an earlier meeting with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Mr Trimble said there was "no saleable deal" and the onus was on republicans to sort out the mess they had created.

"We weren't the ones who imported arms; we didn't spy on others; and we are not responsible for this crisis," he said.

"Republicans stand in the dock and, having destroyed the trust of others, it is up to them to take steps to fix the problem. And that means action, not rhetoric.

"I said after our meeting with Mr Ahern that there were times when we jumped first. I say to you tonight that that's not going to happen again.

"The bottom line is that unionists must have certainty that republicans have become purely political and not remain paramilitary.

"They have to make it clear to all of us that they are a thing of the past - that they're out of business, stood down, redundant, disbanded. Pick whichever word or phrase you like, but we must know that the IRA really has gone away.

"Ulster Unionism has not been found wanting in this process. We have implemented our side of the Belfast Agreement faithfully. We have taken the strain. It is time republicans carried the load for a change".

(SP)