Peace process comes under fierce new pressure
The Northern Ireland peace process was under fierce new pressure today after Ulster Unionists warned that the IRA’s confirmation of a plan to put their weapons beyond use was not enough.
With virtually no hope of the Provisionals beginning to empty their secret arms dumps within the next 48 hours, the Ulster Secretary John Reid looked set to suspend the Stormont Assembly.
No decision is likely until the weekend, and although some senior Unionists admitted the republican proposal to General John de Chastelain was a step in the right direction, the IRA needed to go further.
Michael McGimpsey, a minister in the power-sharing executive in Belfast, said today: "I believe that we are moving inexorably towards making sure that this process actually works.
"I think we have a time problem. Our time runs at the weekend and that is a matter, of course, for decisions from the Secretary of State (John Reid).
"This has potential and we want to see that potential realised."
The Provisionals had earlier confirmed their proposal to put their guns completely and verifiably beyond use. But a statement which disclosed eight meetings with the General since March, failed to detail when the shifting of weapons would actually begin.
They said more talks would be held with the International Decommissioning Commission and added: "The IRA leadership will continue to monitor political developments."
That could mean two things. It holds out the potential for further movement provided the British Government meets republican demands on future policing arrangements and demilitarisation.
Or it leaves open the distinct possibility of the IRA withdrawing their decommissioning plan if the British Government decides to suspend the Assembly and put the institutions on hold for a second time.
That was the dilemma which faced Dr Reid today as he agonised over where the process should go from here. He has to make a decision before midnight on Saturday and at this stage, suspension, even for just a day, seemed his most likely option.
Sinn Fein’s Alex Maskey said the weapons scheme confirmed by the IRA meant Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble should re-enter the political institutions immediately.
"We are at the point where David Trimble has collapsed, virtually, the political institutions," he said.
"The IRA have continually maintained they’re no threat to the process. I don’t see, and many others don’t see, the IRA as a threat to the process whatsoever.
"What I expect is David Trimble to shoulder his responsibility."
Ian Paisley Junior of the DUP said the IRA words were "a non-statement".
"First of all, there is no mention of the word ‘all’, they’re not putting IRA guns and weapons beyond use," he said.
"They’re not dismantling their paramilitary organisation, there is no mention of timing about when any of this is going to happen. So it’s all never-never land."
Meanwhile, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Andrew Mackay said the IRA statement was "helpful", but did not go far enough.
"Crucially there is still no indication from the republican movement as to when the process of putting arms beyond use will begin," he said.
"As far as the Conservative Party is concerned, the current impasse will only be ended when there is an actual start to decommissioning."
