IRA decommissioning 'largest yet'

Tuesday, 21 October 2003 12:00 AM

General John de Chastelain announced today that the IRA's third act of decommissioning was "considerably larger" than the previous two.

The head of the independent decommissioning body spoke after the IRA released a statement earlier on Tuesday saying it was committed to resolving the weapons issue.

In a second statement the IRA leadership confirmed that the decommissioning act had taken place.

The retired Canadian general briefed the British and Irish prime ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern at Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday. The premiers arrived in Belfast for negotiations aimed at reigniting the Northern Ireland peace process.

General de Chastelain confirmed when questioned that he had seen 'weapons of a heavy, light and medium nature' - acknowledging that this included 'heavy mortars and light machine guns' as well as explosive materials, but was unable to give details of what had taken place.

The IRA is also expected to take part in further discussions with the international decommissioning body.

The statement from the paramilitary group did not reveal any details of what quantities of weapons or explosives were involved.

The IRA is believed to have already carried out significant acts of decommissioning over the last 24 hours in three locations.

Ahead of the IRA's statement Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams called for a ceasefire by all militant groups and added: "Sinn Fein wants to see the guns taken out of Irish society."

Early on Tuesday morning Downing Street announced that elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly would take place on November 26th.

Before Mr Blair left Downing Street for Belfast, his official spokesman said: "Potentially, this could be the most significant day in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement."

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