Local politicians and security chiefs have reacted sceptically to a statement by the Ulster Defence Association denying any involvement in recent pipebomb attacks.
In a briefing to the BBC, the organisation's six-strong inner council "categorically" denied that it had sanctioned a pipebomb campaign against Catholic families across Northern Ireland. Instead the UDA leadership claimed its name was being used as a "flag of convenience" and called on those responsible to "stop immediately'.
It had "remained silent for too long" on the attacks, which had led to further speculation on its involvement.
It concluded that like the community it represented, the UDA was now in the main opposed to the Belfast Agreement. Nevertheless, it was still committed to peace and had held a meeting with Gen de Chastelain's decommissioning body around Christmas to assure him that its ceasefire remained intact.
Mr Alban Maginness, the SDLP MLA for north Belfast, described the UDA statement as "incredible", saying it flew in the face of the RUC Chief Constable's assessment of who was responsible for the attacks.
"No properly informed person accepts this assertion by the UDA. I also treat with scepticism their purported commitment to the peace process," Mr Maginness added.
Mr Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein MLA, said nationalists simply did not believe the UDA statement. A Co Antrim Alliance Party councillor, Mr Stewart Dickson, said local people could take no comfort from the statement.
The chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party, the UDA's political wing, Mr John White, said he was pleased with the statement, which "totally clarified" that the UDA leadership had not endorsed any attacks.
There have been more than 50 pipe-bomb attacks since the start of the year. The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has blamed elements within the UDA for the attacks. The North's Security Minister, Mr Adam Ingram, last week said he was monitoring the UDA ceasefire on a "daily basis".