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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() UK: Northern Ireland ![]() Arms statement not enough - Donaldson ![]() Call for progress towards devolution and decommissioning ![]() Prominent anti-Agreement Ulster Unionist Jeffrey Donaldson has said the party will be split if it joins in an executive with Sinn Fein before the IRA decommissions any weapons. Mr Donaldson warned there could be a 'serious split' in the Ulster Unionist party following the statements on Tuesday by David Trimble and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams. The Lagan Valley MP described what was on offer from the IRA as falling well short of unionist demands. "They are merely agreeing to appoint a substitute for Martin McGuinness who is already appointed as a liaison to the International Body on Decommissioning," he said. He said the statement by Sinn Fein repeated previously made declarations and he could not take the party at its word.
"On the basis of past evidence, words are not enough, the IRA say one thing and do another." Resignation threat
Fellow anti-Agreement Ulster Unionist William Thompson threatened to leave the party if it abandoned the policy of "no guns, no government." Speaking during a BBC Radio Ulster interview, the dissident MP said the policy was too important to Northern Ireland and to democracy. The statements by Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) have received a broad welcome from those in favour of the Good Friday Agreement.
DUP Assembly member Nigel Dodds said that Sinn Fein had refused to "commit to actual decommissioning" and their statement contained nothing new. UUP leader David Trimble earlier expressed "deep regret" at the suffering past divisions had caused to both Northern Ireland traditions. These words were echoed by Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams. The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) also issued a statement stressing their unequivocal commitment to the "comprehensive and successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement".
"At this critical juncture we urge all parties to continue working in the new spirit of understanding that has come to characterise the latter stages of the review and so ensure its successful completion," he said. Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson appealed for people to be patient and said he was confident that weapons would be given up. He said: "I expect to see not only decommissioning achieved, I expect to see all parts of the Good Friday Agreement implemented fully in the coming year."
"I congratulate all of the parties for the courage and leadership they are showing," he said. Other pro-agreement parties, including those linked to loyalist paramilitaries, have also been throwing their support behind efforts to make progress towards devolution. David Adams from the Ulster Democratic Party, which is linked to the paramilitary Ulster Defence Association said they welcomed the recent political developments that had taken place within the review process. Positive and constructive "We regard these developments as positive and constructive and providing of a real opportunity for the full implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement," he said. The Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked to the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force, said it had always been their view that political institutions should be set up regardless of the decommissioning issue. A statement said: "We believe the process of decommissioning should be the sole remit of the Independent Commission on Decommissioning, and as such should be completely removed from the political equation." The Workers Party said they welcomed the statements by David Trimble and Gerry Adams. The party's President, Tom French, called on the pro-agreement parties to "build on the gains already made" and move together to the formation of a new Northern Ireland. ![]() |
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