Loyalist paramilitaries are not ready to follow the lead of the IRA in decommissioning, Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) said today.
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Mr David Ervine
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"I have no evidence to suggest loyalism is about to move on decommissioning," Mr Ervine said.
"I have no evidence even to suggest they are about to say anything on decommissioning," added Mr Ervine.
His comments came a day after the IRA announced a new gesture of disarmament, its second since last October.
General John de Chastelain, the head of an international decommissioning body, said the group had put "a varied and substantial quantity of ammunition, arms and explosive material beyond use."
Northern Secretary Dr John Reid said loyalists, "some of whom are not even on ceasefire", had "a long way to go".
Mr Ervine blamed the exclusion of loyalist groups from three-way negotiations between the British government, Sinn Féin, and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
AFP