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08/04/2002
Second act of decommissioning by IRA welcomed
Northern Ireland First Minister and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party David Trimble has described as "highly significant" the latest act of decommissioning by the IRA.
Mr Trimble welcomed the decommissioning act, saying: "This is plainly both welcome and highly significant. Those who said there would never be any decommissioning were proved wrong last October. Those who said it was a one-off gesture and that hope of a process was just wild optimism have now been proved wrong."
This was the republican terrorist organisation's second act of decommissioning since October 2001.
A statement from the Northern Ireland Office confirmed that the actual amount of arms and explosives put beyond use was "varied but substantial".
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said that the move was evidence of the IRA's "commitment to peace". He then criticised the British government, accusing the "securocrats and bureaucrats" within the establishment for dodging their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement.
The act of decommissioning itself had been widely predicted by security forces and politicians north and south of the border. Many political figures, including Mr Trimble, have said that the second act is designed to bolster the Sinn Féin election campaign in the Republic. Deputy leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson, went further and described the act as "a stunt" and an "insignificant event".
The First Minister said that loyalist paramilitaries should make a similar gesture in order to maintain credibility within the peace process. He said: "There is now an overwhelming moral and political onus on the loyalist paramilitaries to seize the initiative once more and make a start to decommissioning."
Secretary of State Dr John Reid said the IRA's move was welcome and he also urged loyalist paramilitaries to "match the IRA's important action with steps of their own".
The IRA's previous act of decommissioning was confirmed by the IIDC on Tuesday October 23. On that occasion, General John de Chastelain described the event as "significant".
(GMcG)
Mr Trimble welcomed the decommissioning act, saying: "This is plainly both welcome and highly significant. Those who said there would never be any decommissioning were proved wrong last October. Those who said it was a one-off gesture and that hope of a process was just wild optimism have now been proved wrong."
This was the republican terrorist organisation's second act of decommissioning since October 2001.
A statement from the Northern Ireland Office confirmed that the actual amount of arms and explosives put beyond use was "varied but substantial".
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said that the move was evidence of the IRA's "commitment to peace". He then criticised the British government, accusing the "securocrats and bureaucrats" within the establishment for dodging their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement.
The act of decommissioning itself had been widely predicted by security forces and politicians north and south of the border. Many political figures, including Mr Trimble, have said that the second act is designed to bolster the Sinn Féin election campaign in the Republic. Deputy leader of the DUP, Peter Robinson, went further and described the act as "a stunt" and an "insignificant event".
The First Minister said that loyalist paramilitaries should make a similar gesture in order to maintain credibility within the peace process. He said: "There is now an overwhelming moral and political onus on the loyalist paramilitaries to seize the initiative once more and make a start to decommissioning."
Secretary of State Dr John Reid said the IRA's move was welcome and he also urged loyalist paramilitaries to "match the IRA's important action with steps of their own".
The IRA's previous act of decommissioning was confirmed by the IIDC on Tuesday October 23. On that occasion, General John de Chastelain described the event as "significant".
(GMcG)
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23 October 2001
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29 June 2009
UVF Guns, Ammo And Bombs 'Beyond Use'
The haul of weapons decommissioned by the UVF and Red Hand Commandos included guns, ammunition and explosives, it has been revealed. However, independent observers - who described the cache as a "major decommissioning event" - have not said how many weapons were actually given up.
UVF Guns, Ammo And Bombs 'Beyond Use'
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23 October 2001
Trimble accepts commencement of IRA decommissioning
Following the IRA statement on decommissioning made on Tuesday and a meeting with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD), the Ulster Unionists have accepted that the IRA has commenced decommissioning.
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11 February 2003
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
