The 32 County Sovereignty Movement has called on the Provisional IRA to lift threats made against dissident republicans. It has appealed to all republicans to use their influence to avoid a violent confrontation.
The statement follows demands by the Provisional IRA that the `Real IRA' disband within a fortnight, otherwise "action would be taken" against members of both the paramilitary group and the sovereignty movement.
The sovereignty movement said it did not wish to see either the Provisional IRA or the `Real IRA' "taking action against fellow republicans".
On Tuesday night, members of the Provisionals visited 60 homes in south Armagh, Dundalk, Dublin and further south. They issued the threats from the Army Council. Many knew the dissidents personally.
In some cases, there were violent confrontations. A 66-year-old man and his wife received minor injuries when they challenged those delivering the threats. In south Armagh, the sister of a dead IRA member chased men from her home.
It is understood 20 of those threatened have made affidavits to solicitors naming those they claim were involved. Provisional IRA sources are still refusing to comment on the situation. A Sinn Fein spokesman yesterday said he knew nothing about the threats.
The Ulster executive of Republican Sinn Fein claimed they were "proof of the Provisionals' role as the new Stormont death squads". It said those visited should not "bend to any threats" and republicans should "take measures" to protect themselves.
It claimed the Provisional IRA had been "completely bought off" and asked whether it was prepared to "kill for Stormont". In its statement, the sovereignty movement said: "We publicly call upon the Provisional IRA and Oglaigh na hEireann [`Real IRA'] to refrain from taking action against fellow republicans. Such actions can only serve British interests and help the British prolong their rule in Ireland."
The group claimed using IRA members against dissidents "sullied the name of the IRA". It said it was disturbing that when decommissioning and a virtual declaration that the war was over were demanded by the British government, threats were then made against "true opponents of British rule". It said such threats had "apparently been made" without fear that Sinn Fein would be expelled from the new administration.