Trimble hopeful of IRA arms move

David Trimble plans to pull his ministers from Stormont

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has said there is still time to prevent the resignation of his party's ministers from the power-sharing executive.

Mr Trimble, who is on a four-day visit to Washington, said he hoped newspaper speculation predicting a start to IRA decommissioning would prove to be true.

Ulster Unionist ministers are expected to resign from the power-sharing government later this week in the absence of IRA decommissioning.

But Mr Trimble has refused to say exactly when his ministers will step down.

People know what they should do so let them get on with it

David Trimble

Speaking from Washington, he said he did not want to set republicans a deadline, but was keen to ensure that decommissioning happened, sooner rather than later.

"We've been here before, we've heard forecast and speculation before and we've been disappointed," he told BBC Radio Ulster.

"I hope that people are not going to be disappointed this time. I hope we are going to see a beginning to the process of decommissioning.

"I hope it's going to be a good beginning in order to build confidence for the future."

Martin McGuinness: "Working flat out for decommissioning"

He said a "good beginning" meant "actual decommissioning" which could be verified by General John de Chastelain, who heads the body overseeing the decommissioning process.

Meanwhile, the head of the Church of Ireland has appealed for the IRA to decommission.

Addressing his diocesan synod in Armagh, Archbishop Robin Eames said the horrific terrorist attacks in the US on 11 September had changed the world forever.

"One consequence, so far as Northern Ireland is concerned, must be that world opinion now says there is no justification, excuse or warped reason for any paramilitary arms to be kept available for use," he said.

The archbishop said he believed "definite and verifiable" destruction of paramilitary arms would have "a conclusive and lasting effect on not just political life here, but on the whole of our lives".

Archbishop Eames: Appeal for IRA decommissioning

"If the IRA can match this demand I believe it will unlock an entire process. I would hope that all other paramilitary groupings would do likewise," he said.

The latest crisis in the peace process was precipitated by David Trimble's resignation as first minister in July, a move designed to put pressure on the republican movement.

He announced two weeks ago that he intended to bring the political crisis to a head by withdrawing the rest of the Ulster Unionist ministers because his party could no longer sit in the executive with Sinn Fein.

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The withdrawal of UUP ministers would lead to the collapse of the institutions.

It is expected, however, that Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid would reintroduce direct rule before the assembly collapsed.

If devolution is suspended for an unlimited period, it is likely the government will start a review of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, on which devolution is based.

At the weekend Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said he was working "flat out" to achieve IRA decommissioning.

But on Monday Mr McGuinness refused to speculate on whether the IRA would make a gesture on decommissioning in advance of the Ulster Unionists withdrawing from the executive.