THERE HAS been a broad political welcome for the decision of three paramilitary organisations – the Irish National Liberation Army, the Official IRA and the south east Antrim brigade of the Ulster Defence Association – to dispose of illegally-held weaponry.
The Northern Ireland legislation that enables the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) to accept and destroy weapons expires today, leaving paramilitaries open to prosecution and possible imprisonment if they miss the deadline.
Until today, paramilitaries could use a certificate from the IICD to allow them to move arms from one location to another to facilitate decommissioning. Once the legislation expires, weapons can be forensically tested and the evidence produced in court.
At a press conference in Belfast yesterday morning, members of the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP), political counterpart of the INLA, announced that the paramilitary group had decided to disarm because “armed struggle is not a viable option at this time”.
At another Belfast press conference, it was announced that the Official IRA, which declared a ceasefire in 1972 but continued to be involved in illegal activity, had handed over all of its remaining weapons to be decommissioned.
British prime minister Gordon Brown announced in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon that the UDA’s south east Antrim brigade had decommissioned its entire arsenal. This splinter group is understood to be the last loyalist faction to destroy its arms.
In a statement read out in Belfast on its behalf by former prisoner Martin McMonagle, from Derry, the INLA said: “On October 11th, 2009, the INLA announced that our military war was over, concluding that the time was right to reaffirm the primacy of politics and clearly stating that it is our belief that armed struggle is not a viable option at this time.
“We can now also confirm that the INLA has disarmed through a joint facilitation group consisting of a local, a national and an international organisation. This was done in a process in accordance with international standards.” Members of the facilitation group included Conal McFeely from the Derry-based Creggan Enterprises, Peter Bunting and Brendan Mackin from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Dr Ram Manikilingam from the Amsterdam-based Dialogue Advisory Group.
In a separate press conference at the same Belfast location, attended by Mr McFeely, Mr Bunting and Mr Mackin, the group said it had “assisted the INLA in putting its weapons beyond use”. The group transferred the weapons to the IICD, which subsequently disposed of them.
Welcoming the INLA move, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said the group’s decommissioning was another step towards guaranteeing peace: “These events are further positive developments as we look to finally close the last chapter of the conflict and ensure a peaceful future for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
Sinn Féin Assembly member and junior minister with the powersharing executive Gerry Kelly said: “The peace process has ensured that a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland exists.”