Blair urges end of criminal activity by IRA
Significant process has been made in the North's peace process, British Prime Minister Tony Blair insisted today.
However, he emphasised that it was crucial that all criminal activity on the part of the IRA ceased.
Tony Blair was speaking after publication of a report by the Independent Monitoring Commission.
It alleged that some republicans were still involved in criminality and assaults, as well as political intelligence-gathering.
At Commons question time, Democratic Unionist leader the Rev Ian Paisley asked whether Mr Blair was “alarmed” at the IMC’s admission that it was perhaps “misinformed” in claiming last September that all IRA arms had been decommissioned.
Mr Blair said the IMC had drawn attention to its belief that there had been “a strategic decision” by the IRA leadership to abandon the armed struggle.
“What they have also said, however, is that they are concerned about violence and criminality,” he added.
“Let me make it clear once again: all criminal activity has to cease. That is absolutely crucial. But I think it would be quite wrong if you were suggesting that there hadn’t been very significant process or that the statement that the IRA gave last July was not highly significant.”
| Related Stories: |
|
