Irish Republican News and Information, 5 April 2002, http://irlnet.com/rmlist/ 


'SUBSTANTIAL' AMOUNT OF IRA ARMS PUT BEYOND USE

April 2, 2002

A 'substantial' amount of weapons and explosives have been put beyond use in a second act of decommissioning by the IRA, the IICD [International Independent Commission on Decommissioning] confirmed today.

A statement by the IRA this morning [Monday] revealed a second tranche of arms had been put beyond use so that the peace process could be "stabilised, sustained and strengthened", according to the statement.

The IRA leadership said it had taken the unilateral initiative despite the difficulties it would cause for republicans "when there are those who are not fulfilling their obligations".

"It could be argued that the IRA should not take such an initiative, but it is precisely because of this that an initiative has been undertaken," the statement said.

Last October the IRA agreed to disarm a cache of weapons at two secret arms dumps.

In a report to the British and Irish governments [Monday] the head of the international decommissioning body, General John de Chastelain, suggested that the latest consignment had been a large one.

A statement from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning said: "We wish to inform you that we have witnessed an event in which the IRA leadership has put a varied and substantial quantity of ammunition, arms and explosive material beyond use."

British Secretary John Reid said it showed the peace process was moving in the right direction and he challenged the loyalist paramilitaries to start getting rid of their guns as well.

He said: "It is now more than ever incumbent on the loyalist paramilitary groups to respond and match the IRA's important action with steps of their own. I hope we will see them doing so before long.".

General de Chastelain and his colleague Andrew Sens, have been overseeing the process and confirmed more talks will take place with the IRA representative.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman "it is clearly another very welcome piece of news".

"What it shows is that the Good Friday Agreement -- which is four years' old this week -- is being implemented in all its aspects," he said.

"As the Prime Minister said yesterday, no one pretends we have made the transition from conflict to a normal society completely yet. But bit by bit, day by day, we are we are getting there. And what it shows is that a peace process that involves many painful decisions by many people does actually deliver a better society and does deliver a society in which lives are saved on a daily basis."

But Mr Blair's spokesman refused to say when there will be a resolution to the outstanding anomaly of IRA Volunteers on the run being unable to return home.

The Ulster Unionist leader welcomed the IRA arms move, but hardline unionists dismissed it.

The hardline Democratic Unionist Party described the IRA move as a "stunt". DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said the move was "an event of no significance" which had been timed to help Sinn Fein win seats in the 26 County general election in May.

But Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said the latest move on arms showed republicans were involved in a process of decommissioning and made anti-Agreement unionists look foolish.

"Now we have got a process of decommissioning coming from republicans, loyalists must realise that there is more urgency for them to start their own process."

'HUGE MOVE'

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon about the latest IRA arms initiative, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP, accompanied by Louth councillor Arthur Morgan and Upper Bann MLA Dara O'Hagan, welcomed the news, which he said was further evidence of the IRA's commitment to the peace process.

"No one should underestimate the difficulties this causes for many republicans. This includes many, many republicans and nationalists who have never been near guns and who never want to see guns used again.

"For them this is another huge move by the IRA leadership.

"This initiative also has to be set against the multiple failures in the implementation of the Agreement, principally by the British government.

"The Army statement makes it clear that this is a unilateral initiative. That it is a leadership initiative and that it is taken at a time when others are not fulfilling their obligations. In fact it makes the point that it is precisely because of this, and because it wishes the peace process to be stabilised that it has moved once again.

"It is obvious to anyone interested in implementing the Good Friday Agreement that on policing, on demilitarisation, human rights, equality and justice there remain significant gaps between what was agreed over four years ago in the Good Friday Agreement and what has been delivered so far.

"These difficulties can be traced back to the behaviour and attitude of those within the British system, the securocrats and bureaucrats, who refuse to accept the imperatives of making peace.

"The failure of the British government to face down these people has given encouragement to their efforts. There are sections of unionism who also oppose change. All of this is unacceptable and must stop.

"The IRA is leading by example. If this peace process is to succeed others, but especially the British government, have to accept responsibility for these difficulties and move to curb the dangerous and damaging actions of those over whom they have influence and control.

"It is time to see real progress being made on all of these outstanding issues. We have only to look at the Middle East to see that the imperative of peace making has to prevail".