The IRA and Gen John de Chastelain's international disarmament body have had four meetings since March, it emerged today. But First Minister Mr David Trimble says he does not "see any substance in it at all".
|
|
Gen John de Chastelain.
|
Details were first given in an IRA statement today and then confirmed by a spokesman for Gen de Chastelain who said: "It can be confirmed that these four meetings took place."
The IRA insisted in the statement they were genuinely committed to resolving the arms issue but accused the British government of failing to honour its side of the bargain.
Sinn Féin North Belfast assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly said the talks were a massive development. He said: "Five years ago that would be unimaginable."
"This is unprecedented in republican history that there's this type of engagement with de Chastelain and also that there's been these inspections."
But the Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble said the IRA's statement was a response to pressure from his party and said he did not "see any substance in it at all".
"The initial three dumps have been reinspected. It has not been broadened to include other dumps as well. What we have not seen is any progress on putting weapons beyond use."
He urged people to read the latest statement by General de Chastelain's commission carefully. "All that can be said is that meetings have taken place and no progress has been made."
If he was to withdraw his threat to resign as First Minister republicans would have to honour their commitment on May 6th 2000 to "completely and verifiably put their weapons beyond use and in a way that would maximise public confidence".
The Democratic Unionist Party dismissed the IRA statement, saying moves on the arms issue were a cynical ploy to boost Sinn Féin's battle with the SDLP for nationalist votes in the general election.
The party's deputy leader Mr Peter Robinson said: "The fact that someone sits down and talks to Gen de Chastelain is hardly earth shattering, is it?"
|
The IRA statement - which came as the republican leadership faced new pressure from Ulster Unionists to begin emptying its secret arms dumps - confirmed a third inspection had been carried out by the two appointed arms inspectors.
The statement said: "Since March 8th our representative has been involved in an ongoing series of discussions with the independent international commission on decommissioning, including four meetings.
"This continuing dialogue and the inspections represent clear and irrefutable evidence of the IRA's commitment to a just and equitable peace settlement.
"The IRA leadership has honoured every commitment we have made and will continue to do so. Others should do likewise.
"We reiterate our view that the resolution of the issue of arms is a necessary step in a genuine peace process."
PA