The IRA has said that it has agreed a plan  with the  Independent International Commission on Decommissioning  (IICD) which will put its weapons "completely and verifiably beyond use."

In a short statement issued Wednesday (Aug. 8, 2001), the IRA said its  representative had met the IICD eight times over the past  five months and it would continue to hold discussions with the arms body.

The statement noted "the ongoing attempts in some quarters to prevent progress" saying "they should not be permitted to succeed."

The statement comes days after the IICD announced that it had come to an agreement with the IRA which initiates a process which would put IRA arms completely and verifiably beyond use.

The Taoiseach, on behalf of the Irish Government, warmly welcomed the agreement between the IICD and the IRA. "This is clearly a development of historic significance and represents a major step forward towards a resolution of the arms issue and full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. I call on all parties to reflect carefully on its significance," he said.

The Northern Secretary said that he believed the IICD's statement could resolve the issue of decommissioning. Dr . John Reid also warmly welcomed the statement, saying, "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."
 

However, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble refused to accept the IRA's movement on decommissioning and endorse the Anglo-Irish blueprint for saving the Good Friday Agreement.
 

Speaking after a two-hour meeting yesterday with his Assembly team and parliamentary party,Trimble said the package was not in itself enough to persuade unionists to support the proposals.

Following is the full text of tonight's IRA statement:

"On 8 March 2001, the IRA leadership reestablished contact with the IICD. Since then the IRA representative has met with the IICD eight times. As a result of these discussions we can confirm that the IRA leadership has agreed a scheme with the IICD which will put IRA arms completely and verifiably beyond use.

"We note the ongoing attempts in some quarters to prevent  progress. They should not be permitted to succeed.

"Our representative will continue to meet with the IICD.

"The IRA leadership will continue to monitor political developments."

P O'Neill,
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau, Dublin.