Mixed reaction to IRA statement

Weapons: A stumbling block in the peace process

There has been mixed political reaction to the IRA's statement on Thursday confirming that it has agreed a method for putting its arms beyond use with the arms decommissioning body.

The Ulster Unionists have said the IRA's latest statement on arms is not enough to resolve the issue in time for the deadline for preventing the assembly's suspension at the weekend.

But they have said it is "significant".

The Ulster Unionist Party's Michael McGimpsey said the IRA's statement, which confirmed a report by the arms decommissioning body this week, was not enough for unionists to go back into the assembly executive with Sinn Fein.

On BBC Radio Ulster on Tuesday, he said that while the IRA's statement had taken the arms decommissioning process "another step towards resolution, it has not been resolved".

"It is a significant step, but it falls short of what unionists want."

'Actual decommissioning'

The current crisis in the political process is over the issues of arms decommissioning, policing, demilitarisation and the stability of the institutions.

It was precipitated by Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble's resignation as first minister on 1 July because decommissioning had not begun.

Jeffrey Donaldson: IRA statements not backed up by actions

The two governments have put a package of proposals to the parties on the issues causing the impasse, but none of the parties have accepted it fully.

Meanwhile, hardline Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson insisted his party's position would not change on the decommissioning issue.

He said: "Unless we get actual decommissioning of IRA weapons then we cannot continue in the power-sharing executive with Sinn Fein."

"The IRA knew that what they needed to do, after three years of nothing, after three years of delay, was to begin decommissioning of illegal weapons."

'Let commission do its work'

On Wednesday Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the Ulster Unionists' rejection of the IRA move had brought the political process to the brink of collapse.

Speaking on Thursday, Sinn Fein assembly member Alex Maskey said the IRA had shown its commitment to the peace process and it was now up to unionists to live up to their responsibilities.

He said: "David Trimble signed up to the Good Friday Agreement and should let the de Chastelain's commission get on with their task and shoulder his responsibilities."

Republicans and nationalists are still unhappy with the elements on policing contained in the government's package

But the SDLP's Mark Durkan said he hoped the IRA's statement would go some way towards help satisfy unionist concerns that the IRA has begun "a quality engagement with General de Chastelain's commission".

He said: "They have indicated the number of meetings they have had with General de Chastelain and the fact that that they are continuing to have meetings.

"I would hope that that has gone some way towards reassuring people."

Meanwhile Ian Paisley junior of the anti-Agreement DUP said: "There is no mention of putting all the guns beyond use and there is no mention of timing in the statement.

"This is all in never, never land."