IRA Political Wing Says IRA is Prepared to Disarm

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 28, 2003

IRA Political Wing Says IRA is Prepared to Disarm

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The Irish Republic Army (IRA) is prepared to further disarm itself if there is a "positive response" from the British and Irish governments and Protestant Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), IRA's political wing Sinn Fein said Sunday.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told a news conference in Belfast, capital city of Northern Ireland, that the IRA's statement submitted to the two governments on April 13 was one of "completely peaceful intent."

London and Dublin rejected the statement as too vague while British Prime Minister Tony Blair challenged the IRA on Wednesday to unambiguously renounce violence for good.

The two governments postponed the publication of their blueprint aimed at reviving the power-sharing government until the IRA answered questions about the statement.

In response, Adams said the "logic (of the statement) is that there should be no activities inconsistent with this."

"Secondly, the IRA has clearly stated its willingness to proceed with the implementation of a process to put arms beyond use at the earliest opportunity," he said.

"Obviously, this is not about putting some arms beyond use. It is about all arms.

"And thirdly, if the two governments and all the parties fulfill their commitments this will provide the basis for the complete and final closure of the conflict," said Adams.

A Downing Street spokesman described Adams's comments as "a significant advance."

However, the UUP branded the statement as a disappointment and said it fell "short of what is required," according to reports reaching here.

British Secretary of State Paul Murphy is expected to meet Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen on Monday morning.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is due to be dissolved at midnight on Sunday, ahead of the local elections set for May 29.

Northern Ireland's power-sharing government was suspended on Oct. 14, 2002, amid allegations of IRA spy ring at its heart.

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