IRA 'must have change of heart on disarmament'
The IRA must have a change of heart on disarmament if there is to be political progress in Northern Ireland, a Democratic Unionist MP insisted today.
After the IRA claimed demands for photographic evidence of weapons decommissioning had derailed the latest bid for a peace process deal, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson warned there could be a prolonged stalemate if republicans did not address seriously the issue of arms.
“I hope over the weekend republicans will take time to reflect on the progress that has been made in the negotiations,” he told PA.
“But republicans need to set themselves some serious questions about what has happened.
“If there is going to be an impasse over decommissioning, then it could go on for a long time.”
In a statement issued through the republican newspaper An Phoblacht, the IRA accused DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley of trying to humiliate them by demanding photographic evidence.
The organisation disclosed the lengths it was prepared to go to in the event of a comprehensive peace process deal.
This included:
:: The IRA moving “into a new mode” reflecting a transition to a totally peaceful society;
:: The destruction of all IRA arms in a verifiable manner as soon as possible and, if possible, by the end of December in the presence of two clergymen;
:: All IRA members would be given specific instructions not to engage in anything which could endanger a comprehensive peace process deal.
On the key question of weapons, the Provisionals said: “For his part, Ian Paisley demanded that our contribution be photographed, and reduced to an act of humiliation.
“This was never possible.
“Knowing this, he made this demand publicly as the excuse for his rejection of an overall agreement to create a political context with the potential to remove the causes of conflict.
“As the IRA leadership has said before, this is a context in which Irish republicans and unionists can, as equals, pursue our respective political objectives peacefully.
“We restate our commitment to the peace process. But we will not submit to a process of humiliation.”
Mr Donaldson said the IRA statement proved recent Sinn Féin criticism of his party leader over public comments were hollow.
“The statement confirms that it was not Dr Paisley’s remarks which were the problem,” he said.
“It is clear the IRA was not prepared to have proper transparent decommissioning.
“Therefore all the protestations from Sinn Féin ring rather hollow.
“Republicans are going to have to revise their position. I have no doubt that the vast majority of people want transparency in the decommissioning process so they can be convinced it is for real.”
Sinn Féin had criticised the Rev Paisley for saying the IRA would have to don a sackcloth and ashes for past violence.
Mr Donaldson said despite yesterday’s setback, the DUP was determined to achieve a resolution of the weapons issue.
Republicans, he noted, had in the past insisted neither a bullet nor an ounce of explosives would be decommissioned.
However, they had revised their position and disarmament had taken place.
“They have to engage properly on this issue,” he said.
“The IRA has not even agreed at this stage the exact arrangements for the independent witnesses of decommissioning.
“Nor has it agreed with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning an inventory of its remaining arms.
“I think they still have some way to go on this but the issue has to be resolved.”
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