It was imperative that the IRA began decommissioning before March 10th, the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, said yesterday. He expressed support for the Taoiseach's call for the Belfast Agreement to be implemented in full, but said problems would arise if paramilitary groups refused to decommission. Mr Trimble was speaking before his address to the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce lunch at the Culloden Hotel in Holywood, Co Down.
"I am quite sure that Mr Ahern would agree with me that we want to see the Agreement implemented in full, but that of course includes paramilitaries addressing their obligations in carrying them out. That's what `in full' means. I am entirely at one with Mr Ahern in wanting to see that happen." Later, Mr Trimble told business leaders and politicians, including Sinn Fein Assembly members Ms Dara O'Hagan and Ms Bairbre de Brun that unless decommissioning starts by March 10th, Sinn Fein would be excluded from the executive.
"If Sinn Fein begin decommissioning they can join the administration at that point. If they cannot accept this invitation, we have will to find some way of going forward without them. This will not be my choice, " Mr Trimble said. He added that no one group could be allowed to block progress through intransigence.
He said one option which may be considered is a motion to the Assembly to exclude Sinn Fein. Ms de Brun and Ms O'Hagan said they were disappointed at the "negative tone" of Mr Trimble's speech. ein's interpretation of the agreement with regard to the absence of preconditions for the setting up of the executive is correct".