The Taoiseach said today that the IRA statement to the decommissioning body outlining plans to decommission is "clearly a development of historical significance and represents a major step forward towards a resolution of the arms issue."
|
Speaking on Sky Television Mr Ahern said the "back has been broken" on the decommissioning issue.
He called for Ulster Unionist’s who meet later today to reflect "very carefully" on the statement, and said people should see the historic significance of it rather than try to find difficulties.
Mr Ahern said he would like to see the process happening as soon as possible. He said the issue of decommissioning had held up progress in the peace process for several years and that the latest proposals would provide the basis for all parties to get on with other aspects of the agreement.
|
With this "enormous logjam" removed the issue no longer becomes a difficulty in the eyes of the Irish government, the Taoiseach added.
This evening, British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, who is on holiday in Mexico, said: "This is an important step forward which I warmly welcome and on which I hope we can build rapidly.
"I believe it has now the potential to resolve the arms issue to everyone's satisfaction."