Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble has challenged the republican leadership to "repudiate" comments from one of its leading figures who was perceived as questioning whether the IRA war was really over.
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Mr David Trimble
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At a republican commemoration in south Armagh at the weekend Mr Brian Keenan said he did not know what people were talking about when they said the war was over.
He said: "The revolution can never be over until we have our country, until we have British imperialism where it belongs - in the dustbin of history."
Ulster Unionist leader Mr Trimble called for an immediate repudiation of the comments.
He said the remarks contradicted those of Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams three years ago when he said violence must be a thing of the past, "over, done with, gone".
Mr Keenan made his comments in a public address urging support for the peace process.
He told republicans at the gathering: "Don't be afraid of the phase we are in. This phase will either be successful or it will be over. The Good Friday Agreement will either stand, or it will fall."
In comments which appeared to be largely directed at those within the republican movement who might be pulled towards the Real IRA, he added: "British imperialism is very strong. The reason it oppresses us is that we are weak.
"We need more political strength in every facet of revolution. And for a fraternal organisation to do that, we need a united front.
"The republican negotiators who have taken on the enemy at the point where the enemy is - at the negotiation table - need the support of a united organisation.
"Those who say the war is over - I don't know what they're talking about. The revolution can never be over until we have our country, until we have British imperialism where it belongs - in the dustbin of history." PA