While yesterday's IRA statement is "absolutely serious and significant" it will not automatically lead to decommissioning by loyalist paramilitaries, loyalist politicians have said.
Mr David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, which represents the Ulster Volunteer Force, said the announcement, which was a major step in the history of the republican movement, should be treated positively by the unionist community.
The UVF and its sister organisation, the Red Hand Commando, would, however, give their answer on whether they would reciprocate the IRA's move in their own time, Mr Ervine added.
"Having demanded that we see the bona fides of the republican movement it's incumbent upon us all to get on with the job of moving the process forward . . . So far I have no evidence at all that the UVF or Red Hand Commando are ready to reciprocate in any way. In fact it is less likely now than on previous occasions that they will reciprocate. But what we have to consider here in Northern Ireland, even if you are asked to do the things you know you can't do there are other things you can do."
Another PUP MLA, Mr Billy Hutchinson, said in the wake of the IRA statement it was wrong for people to "expect loyalists to roll onto their backs and have their stomachs tickled".
The chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party, which is linked to the Ulster Defence Association, Mr John White, said the UDA would take a whole range of issues into consideration before making a decision on a weapons handover.
While dozens of republicans had been given an amnesty by the British government, two loyalists, Johnny Adair and Gary Smith, had been returned to prison.
"I would imagine whenever loyalists look at the issue of decommissioning they will first look at the issue of the release of Johnny Adair and Gary Smith."
A leading Protestant clergyman, however, last night called on loyalists to reciprocate the IRA's gesture. Dr John Dunlop, a former Presbyterian Moderator, said a lack of reciprocation would be "catastrophic" for the peace process. "The immediate non-appearance of decommissioning on the loyalist side will not have the same immediate effect but it would remain as a kind of virus in the body politics," he added.