What the IRA offered and what it withdrew
The means by which the existence of the IRA and its weapons were to be addressed were contained in two annexes to the British and Irish Proposals for A Comprehensive Settlement, published by Mr Blair and Mr Ahern in December.
That document contained a proposed statement to be issued by the IRA, and a second to be signed by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning.
Annex C referred to a draft IRA statement which was to have said: "The all-Ireland nature and implementation on an enduring basis of this agreement by the democratically elected representatives of the Irish people enables us all to take political objectives forward by peaceful and democratic means." The draft continued: "This creates the conditions for the IRA to move into a new mode that reflects its determination to see the transition to a totally peaceful society brought to a successful conclusion. Consistent with this, and recognising the need to uphold and not to endanger anyone's personal rights and safety, all IRA volunteers have been given specific instructions not to engage in any activity which might thereby endanger the new agreement."
Referring to weapons, the IRA was to have agreed: "We have also made it clear that the IRA leadership will, in this new context, conclude the process to completely and verifiably put all its arms beyond use. Accordingly the IRA leadership has agreed with the IICD to complete this process in a way which further enhances public confidence and to conclude this by the end of December." In its proposed statement, contained in Annex D, the IICD was to have supported this. The IICD was also to state how the completion of IRA decommissioning was to be verified.
In Wednesday's statement, the IRA called off contact with Gen de Chastelain's decommissioning body.