The Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid, said yesterday's report from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning on IRA weapons had the potential for "rapidly resolving" the arms issue.
The commission's report said that following a meeting with the IRA's representative, its proposed method for putting arms "completely and verifiably beyond use" met its remit in accordance with British government schemes and regulations.
Dr Reid said he "warmly" welcomed the report, describing it as an important and "very significant step forward" in the political process. The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, is on holiday in Mexico, where he is being kept informed. Commenting on the commission's assessment of its contact with the IRA representative, Dr Reid said the report provided the basis and the potential for resolving the decommissioning issue and its significance should not be underestimated.
In Gen de Chastelain's last report, Dr Reid said, he had consistently asked the IRA three questions in reference to its commitment to disarmament, the method of disarming and the timescale for putting arms completely and verifiably beyond use.
Dr Reid said the answers to two of those questions had been resolved, according to the report.
"I think we should not underestimate the significance of the report and certainly I and the British government warmly welcome it," he said.
The Conservative shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Mr Andrew Mackay, said he welcomed the report "as far as it goes" but he called for clarification on when IRA decommissioning would begin.
"There must be no more stalling from the Provisional IRA. Meanwhile, it would be wrong to even consider any implementation of the government's proposal in respect of reducing security in Northern Ireland until decommissioning has properly started," Mr Mackay said.
Former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds said he did not believe the IRA would physically hand over weapons, but he said it was important the process of decommissioning should begin quickly so the political process could move forward.
"I think it is more likely to be either spray them with chemicals that destroys them or else spray them with chemicals and seal them over with concrete. There are many methods of doing it, it's a question of how it's done and when it's done. But I believe it will probably be choreographed, with actions coming from the other side as well," Mr Reynolds told BBC Radio 5 Live.