THE IRA is to hold a summit this weekend to discuss strategy following the breakdown of the ceasefire, it was claimed last night.
The special army convention, location unknown, to be attended by up to 100 representatives, is not thought likely to discuss a renewed ceasefire, according to a British TV report.
Instead, the Provisionals will debate the scale of future violence and a strategy which will unite the movement because of uncertainty over its direction, according to, ITN's News at Ten last night.
The special army convention is the IRA supreme authority. There have been only two, in 1969 and in 1986, in recent years.
ITN said some IRA men wanted targets for attack to remain highly selective, while others advocated a return to more widespread violence.
There was no immediate comment from Sinn Fein.
Suzanne Breen adds: Republican, sources in west Belfast were to be held last night over the ITN report. One former prisoner said he would not be surprised if a convention were to be held as the leadership strategy was in a mess.
"The leadership seemed to have lost total track of where the movement is going, their policies have failed, and the peace process is a joke. We need to map out where we are going and I think a convention with honest debate is the only alternative," he said.
Another source said the IRA leadership had been planning to hold a convention before British police shot dead Diarmuid O'Neill in London. This led a postponement. He would not be surprised if it happened now.
An IRA activist in Ballymurphy had not had not heard of any convention and said he would be stunned if such a conference were called now. "I just think the IRA needs to get on with the business in Northern Ireland. I don't see what good talking would do", he said.