Loyalist decommissioning confirmed

Published Monday, 29 June 2009

The international decommissioning body headed by John De Chastelain has confirmed that the UVF and Red Hand Commando have decommissioned their weapons.

The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning said on Monday that it had witnessed a major decommissioning event involving arms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices belonging to the two groups.

On Saturday, the decommissioning body confirmed that the UDA had begun getting rid of its weapons - but had not finished the process yet.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has issued a statement welcoming the move.

She said: "The announcements underscore the remarkable progress that has taken place in Northern Ireland over the years.

"All parties agree, as the people of Northern Ireland do, that the only way forward is through peace and reconciliation, and not through violence.

"Peter Robinson and other unionist leaders should be commended for their efforts in convincing these groups to take this courageous step.

"Leaders on all sides deserve our praise for their continued commitment to moving the process forward."

On Sunday, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness ruled out any payments after the loyalist paramilitary groups said they had begun the decommissioning process.

Mr McGuinness said: "Money going into any area is on the basis of objective need and there are no other considerations."

Comments

4 Comments

Steven in Edinburgh wrote (1,059 days ago):

Protestant people love, respect and trust in their RUC, British Army and British Government. The majority of protestant people do not want or need these terrorists, and the above forces would never have allowed an undemocratic unification of Ireland - this would have led to civil war. Lorna, you're just right.

east belfast man in east belfast wrote (1,059 days ago):

re lorna, just to inform you that the loyalist paramilitaries were wanted by a lot of protestant people as they defended their areas, if they werent here then we might be living under the tricolour.

lorna in limavady wrote (1,059 days ago):

On the face of it time will tell if this is a reason to believe they mean peace but if they go the way of the IRA and splinter groups appears then my faith will never be restored. The UDA UVF or any other loyalist group were never wanted by decent protestant people and never needed.Now can they PLEASE take the flags down we want to live in peace.

Patrick in USA wrote (1,060 days ago):

Its about time they de-commissioned. With all the talk about the IRA de-commissioning years agp. It's about time the other side did also.