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Mr Trimble: move
was significant |
Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble today described the call by Sinn Féin President Mr Gerry Adam for the IRA to disarm as "potentially significant".
"I don't think he [Mr Adams] would have called upon the IRA to make what he termed a ground-breaking move if he didn't expect a response," Mr Trimble told BBC Radio Ulster today.
Mr Trimble, who resigned as first minister and pulled his ministers out of the power-sharing Executive in protest at the lack of decommissioning, is set to return to the administration if the IRA make its move.
But Mr Trimble said he would not take any action before studying any report on disarmament and meeting with Gen John de Chastelain, head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).
Mr Trimble is under pressure from anti-Agreement elements in his party not to react to a one-off decommissioning.
But the former first minister said he believed the gesture would be accepted if weapons were seen to be put "completely and verifiably beyond use".
Sinn Féin chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin expressed hope the IRA would soon begin disarmament but recognised supporters had difficulties with the process.
He said: "I am encouraged, not just by David Trimble's remarks this morning but by the commentary that we hear coming from Protestant church people and from Government spokespersons".
Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party said Sinn Féin’s move was of "very serious significance" and that he believed the IRA would make a move before Thursday night.
PA