11/12/04 14:10 EST

By the Irish American Information Service

The British government tonight officially recognized the Ulster Defense Association's ceasefire in a new move to boost the Northern Ireland peace process.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy decided to give the North`s biggest loyalist paramilitary organisation another chance to prove its credentials after receiving assurances that it would end the violence.

He said: "I am persuaded that UDA is now prepared to go down a different road, moving away from its paramilitary past."

The 'Independent' Monitoring Commission watchdog`s latest report blamed the UDA for running organised crime rackets and paramilitary shootings.

But even though the organisation is regarded as nakedly sectarian by Catholics, its representatives claim they want to end all violence.

With loyalists desperate to become more involved in the political process, contacts with the British government have been intensified.

Earlier this month,Murphy held talks with members of the UDA`s inner council, including Andre Shoukri and Jackie McDonald.

That meeting gave the Northern Secretary enough confidence to make his bold move and give the UDA another opportunity, three years after his predecessor John Reid declared its ceasefire obsolete.

A major announcement from the paramilitary group is expected in return for the recognition, which takes effect from midnight on Sunday.

"My decision, reached only after the most careful consideration, is based on a number of factors, in line with the legislation," Murphy said.

"They include the UDA`s reaffirmation in February this year of its Gregg Initiative, when it re-stated its commitment to its ceasefire; the organisation`s generally constructive approach during this year`s marching season; and some diminution in paramilitary activity by its members over the past six months, as reflected in the IMC`s recent report. But as that report also makes clear, the UDA continues to be involved in a range of unacceptable activities which must be brought to an end."

He also paid tribute to the "positive" political efforts by the UDA`s advisers in the Ulster Political Research Group.

Murphy said there had been a marked reduction in the level of violence in recent months.

"What we are about today is about the future. And it`s my view that we should give the UDA - UFF a chance. I think we should give the people of Northern Ireland the opportunity to judge them by their word and by their deeds."

The Northern Ireland Secretary said he expected a positive response from the UDA leadership over the next few days.

He added: "I sincerely hope that we are going to enter a new phase in loyalism in Northern Ireland which will mean that we can concentrate on ensuring that we look to the social and economic needs of the working class areas, particularly protestant ones in this context, but also that we move away from the violence of the past into the politics of the present and the future."

Murphy said that having met the UPRG he was convinced that there was a genuine commitment on the part of the UDA to move away from violence and pursue a political path.

"We want to move all paramilitary groups away from violence so that our society, whether it`s loyalist or republican groups, will be free of what`s happened in the past in Northern Ireland."

Murphy accepted that he was taking a gamble that the UDA leadership was genuine and he said he would judge them by their actions over the next number of weeks and months.

"I suppose the whole political process in Northern Ireland can be regarded as a gamble but so far I believe that gamble has paid off over the last five years," he added.

UDA Pledge To Work Towards Disarmament

11/14/04 15:12 EST

By the Irish American Information Service

Northern Ireland's largest loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association today pledged to end all violence and work towards complete disarmament.

The announcement was made by Tommy Kirkham of the Ulster Political Research group, the political representative of the UDA. 

Kirkham, speaking to more than 2,000 UDA members in the loyalist Rathcoole estate on the northern outskirts of Belfast, said: "From today we are prepared to move into a process. Our commitment to that process will be to work towards a day when there is no longer a need for an UDA and a UFF (Ulster Freedom Fighters)."

Kirkham said that from today the UDA would desist from all violent activity: "The strategy of the organisation will be come one of community development, job creation, social inclusion and community politics."

The announcement followed the decision of Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy to recognize the UDA ceasefire. 

On Friday, Murphy admitted that he was taking a gamble but he had decided to despecify the UDA's ceasefire cause he was persuaded the organisation was serious about seeking a new beginning.

Murphy Statement On UDA/UFF Ceasefire

Following a review of paramilitary cease-fires the Government has determined to despecify the UDA/UFF (Ulster Defense Association, Ulster Freedom Fighters). There is no change to the status of other specified organizations. 

Announcing this decision, Secretary of State Paul Murphy said: "I have reviewed the status of all specified and other paramilitary organizations, as I am obliged to do under legislation, and concluded there are sufficient grounds to despecify the UDA/UFF. Despecification will take effect from midnight on Sunday. I intend to lay an order to that effect before Parliament on Monday, and I will also be making a statement to the House.

"My decision, reached only after the most careful consideration, is based on a number of factors, in line with the legislation. They include the UDA's reaffirmation in February this year of its Gregg Initiative, when it re-stated its commitment to its ceasefire; the organization's generally constructive approach during this year's marching season; and some diminution in paramilitary activity by its members over the past six months, as reflected in the IMC's recent report. But as that report also makes clear, the UDA continues to be involved in a range of unacceptable activities which must be brought to an end.

"In reaching my judgment therefore, another factor to which I have had regard is the positive political engagement by the UPRG, on the UDA's behalf, in recent months. Based on my meeting with them and on the assurances I have received, I am persuaded that the UDA is now prepared to go down a different road, moving away from its paramilitary past. I will have more to say on this in my Parliamentary statement on Monday.

"It is important at a time like this to acknowledge the feelings of victims. While I hope this move will help in the process of building a future where violence is put firmly in our past, I want to reassure victims that we have not forgotten their suffering, or their needs.

"This is a positive step forward for those involved in this initiative and the communities concerned. I must make clear, however, that all paramilitary groups, whether specified or not, remain illegal organizations and any criminal activity will be pursued relentlessly by the police. I will continue to judge them not just by their words but by their deeds. The onus is now on the UDA/UFF to continue to show its good faith."

The Secretary of State reiterated that, for a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland, we need to see an end to all paramilitary activity, regardless of its source.

The order to despecify the UDA/UFF will be made under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.
 
 

Editor: The above information was supplied by the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. For more information, call 202-588 7800