Ulster Defence Association declares formal end to conflict

Last updated at 09:44 12 November 2007


Irish leaders have warmly welcomed the loyalist Ulster Defence Association's announcement it is standing down its military wing and putting weapons beyond use.

However, the UDA have been urged to take a step further and formally decommission weapons.

In a message read out to members at Remembrance Day services across the province, the UDA said all military intelligence would be destroyed and weaponry put 'beyond use.'

It added: "The Ulster Defence Association is committed to achieving a society where violence and weaponry are ghosts of the past."

The UDA also sent out a general order to all members not to be involved in crime or criminality and said those who had joined its ranks for such purposes had to be rooted out.

Speaking at the UDA memorial service at Sandy Row in south Belfast, local 'Brigadier' Jackie McDonald indicated they would be trying to enter the political scene.

He urged the 60 per cent of the loyalist community who, he said, did not register to vote to do so.

"We will work with the community to wake the sleeping giant, and work together to have our own voice," he said.

However, he said decommissioning as demanded was not on the table for now.

"Ninety per cent of people who we represent in the loyalist community won't here tell of decommissioning. They are not the UDA's guns, they are the people's guns and the people don't want to give them up because they don't trust people yet," he said.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward welcomed the announcement as "very important" but said it needed to lead on to decommissioning of weapons.

He said: "This is a very important statement by the leadership of the UDA. They have acknowledged that the war is over and call on all active service units to stand down.

"It is essential that the commitments they have given today - those of an end to violence and criminality - are implemented on the ground.

"They will be judged by their actions, not their words."

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern also welcomed the move. The Taoiseach said: "The commitments to stand-down the UFF in its entirety and to put all weaponry beyond use are to be welcomed.

"The condemnation of crime and criminality is also important, including the recognition of the damage done to loyalist communities by those engaged in drug-dealing."

The Social Development Minister in the devolved Stormont administration, Margaret Ritchie, said: "I welcome the positive aspects of this statement, however it is disappointing that there is still no intention on the part of the UDA to decommission its weapons."

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