Monitor: More IRA arms out of use

LONDON, England -- Northern Ireland peace monitor Gen. John de Chastelain has confirmed that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has carried out further decommissioning of arms as part of an attempt to restore the peace process and power-sharing.

The announcement was part of a series of carefully choreographed statements made Tuesday, beginning with an announcement by the British government that delayed elections will be held in Northern Ireland on November 26.

De Chastelain, a retired Canadian general, said the amount of arms "put beyond use" was larger than in two previous IRA decommisionings and contained explosives plus light, medium and heavy ordnance -- up to mortars and artillery.

He said he could not be specific about the weapons involved because the IRA had invoked a confidentiality provision in the peace agreements.

Ireland's leader Bertie Ahern and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair were also expected to make an announcement.

Earlier, the IRA said in its own statement: "The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann (IRA) can confirm that a further act of putting arms beyond use has taken place under the agreed scheme."

The IRA said it had authorized the third set of decommissioning as part of its "commitment to resolving this issue (of weapons)."

Such a move was demanded by the Ulster Unionists as a condition for its own concessions, due to be announced later Tuesday.

Sinn Fein's President Gerry Adams, in which he said the nationalist party was opposed to the use or the threat of violence in any political process.

He welcomed the UK government's reinstatement of elections for Stormont, the power sharing assembly.

Adams, said: "I am calling upon all armed groups to desist. I want to appeal especially to organizations that present themselves as republican to join with the rest of us ... in taking a leap forward together and help build a future based on justice and peace.

"Sinn Fein wants to see all guns taken out of the situation."

An election date for the end of November had been expected after a series of secret meetings between Adams and the Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble became known.

Ahern and Blair held talks last week in search for a breakthrough.

One talks source told the UK's Press Association: "The choreography has been agreed with the British and Irish governments, Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists, the IRA and the international decommissioning body all having roles to play."

Trimble is anticipated to confirm his commitment to elections and a power sharing government.

Sinn Fein, the IRA's political ally that draws its support predominantly from the nationalist Roman Catholic community, has been pressing Britain on several fronts, most controversially, to hand over control of Northern Ireland's justice system and security forces to the Belfast administration.

Relations between Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists soured over allegations of an IRA spy ring at the Northern Ireland Assembly building, Stormont, last October.

The assembly was set up under the 1998 Good Friday peace deal.

Stormont was later suspended by the UK government after Northern Ireland's protestants refused to continue in government with Sinn Fein until the IRA disarmed.

Elections were due to have taken place in May but were delayed despite pressure being exerted by Washington.

CNN's European Political Editor Robin Oakley said the elections carried a risk.

"The majority of unionists elected could be from the hard line DUP party of Dr. Ian Paisley, which is opposed to the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Fein are also likely to advance at the expense of the more moderate SDLP," he said.

"However, if you don't have an election it's difficult to see how the peace process can progress as the republicans want a swift movement of powers to the power-sharing government on policing and justice as well as an assurance that Stormont won't be closed down again."

Story Tools

Subscribe to Time for $1.99


Iran poll to go to run-off

• U.N.: Truck bomb killed Hariri
• EU 'crisis' after summit failure
• U.S. House votes to keep U.N. dues


CNN/Money: Security alert issued for 40 million credit cards

• Bin Laden deputy sends message
• U.S. House votes to keep U.N. dues
• Iran poll to go to run-off

International Edition

The Web

CNN.com

© 2005 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us.

		All external sites will open in a new browser. CNN.com does not endorse external sites.
		Denotes premium content.
		Add RSS headlines.