Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid today backed moves toward banning the 'Real IRA' from fund-raising in the United States.
The Bush administration looks set to add the group to its list of groups barred from seeking cash from US supporters.
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US Secretary of State Colin Powell
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Today Dr Reid said he was "grateful" to US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell for moving on the issue, as well as welcoming the IRA's meeting with the decommissioning body.
Speaking before he met Mr Powell, Dr Reid said the IRA statement that it had met General John de Chastelain's commission on decommissioning was a positive move.
"The public signals that we have had from the Provisional IRA are that they have held their ceasefire and they have had engagement with the international body of General John de Chastelain," he said.
"I welcome the fact that a meeting has taken place and I hope that those discussions will be carried forward to a more substantial position where we are discussing how, not whether, arms will be put beyond use."
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Dr Reid said the 'Real IRA' continued to pose "a significant threat" and said he hoped to see progress on their becoming banned in the United States.
Yesterday Mr Powell met Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mr Seamus Mallon and told them procedures were in hand to prohibit the 'Real IRA' from fund-raising.
The move is being sought by the British government to cut off supplies of money to the group. Last week the 'Real IRA' tried to launch a mortar attack on an army barracks in the province.
PA