UFF rejects arms call

Loyalists do not believe IRA will disarm

The loyalist paramilitary Ulster Freedom Fighters have rebuffed a call by the prime minister for them to match the IRA's recent arms offer.

In a statement the group says it does not believe that the IRA's offer to put weapons beyond use and open its arms dumps to inspection, requires reciprocation from them.

The group dismisses Tony Blair's recent Commons call for loyalist groups to make a similar offer under the Good Friday Agreement peace accord.

But the UFF says that it is still committed to the peace process and to its no-first-strike policy and does not pose any threat.

The statement says: "The UFF does not consider the verification of selected IRA dumps as a step it is required to reciprocate.

"The absence of confidence in respect of IRA commitment to permanent peace is a matter for the IRA alone to address.

"During the announcement of its end to hostilities in 1994 the UFF expressed abject and true remorse to the innocent victims of the conflict.

Blair called on loyalists to match the IRA's offer

In August 1995 the UFF committed itself to non-initiation of conflict and has continued to maintain a no-first-strike policy.

"These gestures were made in good faith as honourable contributions to the process of conflict resolution and as enhancements of the peace process. Republicans declined to respond in kind in those instances.

"For its part the UFF remains fully committed to the peace process and the removal of conflict from this society."

'No IRA intention to disarm'

The statement comes at a crucial stage in the peace process when the largest unionist political party, the Ulster Unionists, are considering whether to re-enter Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive with Sinn Fein.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble is attempting to persuade his party to accept the government's plans to restart devolution, based on a package on implementing the agreement which includes the IRA arms offer.

Speaking this week before his party's ruling council meets on Saturday, Mr Trimble has been urging UUP members to put the IRA offer to the test.

The UFF says that it does not believe the IRA offer means that the republican organisation intends disarming.

But it indicates that it would be in favour of testing the offer.

It says: "The UFF is the only armed group to have endorsed the Stormont Agreement and continues to view it as the best vehicle to achieve long term political stability.

"The UFF is not convinced the IRA commitment to put its arms beyond use represents an intention to disarm.

'Attack on NI sovereignty'

"We retain a concern that uncertainty around this issue will foster instability in any future Northern Ireland government.

"The bona fides of republican intent on this matter will, however, be established in the course of time. The UFF will continue to monitor the situation closely."

The UFF also accuses republicans and the Irish government of attempting to end the British identity of Protestants.

I welcome the fact that the UFF has re-asserted its commitment to the peace process and the removal of conflict from this society

Gary McMichael

"Their determination to attack Northern Ireland's sovereignty and erode the identity of the majority of its people will be resisted and can only undermine the prospects for the Stormont Agreement achieving a stable society we hope for," the statement adds.

Gary McMichael, the leader of the Ulster Democratic Party, which has links with the UFF, said he viewed the statement as "positive and constructive".

"I welcome the fact that the UFF has re-asserted its commitment to the peace process and the removal of conflict from this society," he said.

Together with the Ulster Defence Association, the UFF is the largest of the loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland.

David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, which has links with the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando said he did not see the UFF statement as a threat.

"I think they are wise to tell it as it is," he said.

Ulster Unionist negotiator Michael McGimpsey said the party welcomed "the fact the UFF endorses the Stormont agreement, is engaged with the de Chastelain Commission, has a no first-strike policy and fully supports the peace process."

He added: "The UFF remains sceptical about the IRA's commitment to disarm, but they recognise that this will be clarified in the course of time and will continue to monitor the situation.

"It would not be unreasonable to expect the UFF to reciprocate, as the IRA puts arms beyond use."