An IRA representative has proposed a method for putting guns completely and verifiably beyond use, General John de Chastelain said today.
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He has told the Irish and British governments that the proposal met with the Decommissioning Commission's remit in accordance with the governments' scheme and regulations.
General de Chastelain said in a statement: "Based on our discussions with the IRA representative, we believe that this proposal initiates a process that will put IRA arms completely and verifiably beyond use."
The statement came in advance of a meeting by Mr David Trimble's party officers in Belfast tonight to consider the package. Their decision is not expected until after the parliamentary party and members of the Northern Ireland Assembly meet tomorrow.
Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams immediately declared the statement as a "hugely historical breakthrough".
He said: "Once again, the IRA has demonstrated its commitment to the search for a lasting peace. The other parties need to match that commitment and should respond positively and constructively."
UUP leader Mr David Trimble later emerged from over an hour of talks with Northern Secretary Dr Reid to say: "We're glad to see that the IRA has taken a significant step towards decommissioning but it hasn't actually started decommissioning. "And of course we want to see that happen."
He added: "However, it leaves open a number of issues, the most important of which is ensuring there is actually a process and that the process begins."
Northern Ireland Secretary Mr John Reid and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern claimed it had the potential to resolve the critical disarmament issue.
Precise details of the IRA proposal were not disclosed, but General de Chastelain's assessment that it was his belief that the proposal initiated a process to put the guns beyond use is bound to have a massive impact.
Mr John Taylor, former Ulster Unionist MP, now Lord Kilclooney said the IICD statement represented progress. It was encouraging the IRA had submitted a scheme which satisfied General de Chastelain.
But he added: "The key question is: When will it happen? Until that is resolved, political instability will continue."
The Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: "We will want to know that any proposals on decommissioning fully comply with the legislation in that the weapons must be rendered permanently unusable and unavailable."
Dr Reid said he believed the statement from the commission had the potential to resolve the issue of decommissioning.
He said: "I warmly welcome this report from General De Chastelain and from the Commission. It is an important, and I believe, very significant step forward. I believe it provides the basis and the potential for rapidly resolving the arms issue."
Dr Reid pointed out that in his last report, General De Chastelain had asked the IRA three questions - firstly its commitment to disarmament, its method of disarming and the timescale for putting weapons completely and verifiably beyond use.
He said today's statement had answered two of those questions.
"I think we should not underestimate the significance of the report and I warmly welcome it," he added.
PA