Hopes grow over IRA arms

Expectations of an IRA move on its weapons are growing after Ulster Unionists responded positively to a Sinn Fein statement on arms.

Sinn Fein's party president Gerry Adams has paved the way for a first move from the IRA to begin decommissioning.

He revealed on Monday that he and Martin McGuinness had recommended a "ground-breaking" step on the arms issue.

Security sources believe an IRA move on arms may be imminent and are not ruling out developments within the next day or two.

It is thought such a move could save the power-sharing government at Stormont.

It faces suspension later this week when the resignation of five unionist ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive becomes irrevocable.

Appeal

They quit the executive because of the IRA's refusal to give up weapons.

I appeal to the leaders of unionism to join with us in doing that so that all sections of our people can go forward on the basis of equality

Gerry Adams

Mr Adams' use of the word ground-breaking appears to suggest that some form of decommissioning will happen shortly.

In his speech to republicans in Belfast, Mr Adams appealed to all of the pro-Agreement parties and the two governments to work together to ensure that crisis politics became a thing of the past.

And referring particularly to unionists, Mr Adams said: "Our collective responsibility at this time is to settle our differences.

"I appeal to the leaders of unionism to join with us in doing that so that all sections of our people can go forward on the basis of equality."

He added: "I would particularly appeal to the IRA and their families, and to the IRA support base, to stay together in comradeship."

'Promising'

Secretary of State John Reid said it was a "highly significant" statement coming from someone of Gerry Adams' authority and stature within republicanism.

Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen said: "It offers the hope that maybe we have at last the possibility of breaking the impasse that has thus far frustrated the achievement of the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement."

John Reid: Called for move on arms

Former Ulster Unionist minister Michael McGimpsey said: "There are promising parts in this statement and it may well be heralding other steps."

His party colleague, North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon, said she was "absolutely delighted" by the statement and was quietly optimistic about a move on decommissioning.

However, DUP leader Ian Paisley said if decommissioning did begin, unionists would need to see it for themselves.

SDLP leader-designate Mark Durkan said he hoped whatever confidence underpinned the Sinn Fein statement was translated into "significant movement".

The chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, said it was "very significant" that the two most prominent members of Sinn Fein would make this public declaration.

Earlier on Monday, in another part of a carefully constructed sequence of events, Dr Reid, said the government's response would not be "grudging or ungenerous" to real and actual decommissioning of weapons.

Dr Reid said the "common ground" created recently now needed to be built upon.