UDA rules out agreeing deadline for disarmament

THE Ulster Defence Force (UDA) has insisted that it will pursue its own plan to end paramilitarism and not adhere to any deadline.

The nationalist SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie said she was disappointed after the UDA issued a brief statement responding to her demand that they meet a disarmament deadline which she set for next Tuesday.

The social development minister has threatened to withdraw £1.2 million (€1.7m) in funding for a regeneration project for loyalist communities, which the UDA has promoted if the organisation does not go out of business.

But in a statement yesterday, the UDA said it had its own plan and was sticking to it. “The Ulster Defence Association has agreed a course of action and a timetable for this action,” the statement on behalf of the entire organisation said.

“It will adhere to that timetable — no more and no less.”

The Ulster Political Research Group, which advises the UDA, has been urging the minister to honour the £1.2m pledged over three years by her Northern Ireland Office predecessor to the Conflict Transformation Initiative.

At the time the scheme was first mooted, former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain was accused of trying to buy-off the UDA with the promise of government money.

However, loyalists are at pains to stress the UDA will have no hand in managing the funds. After the UDA was linked to rioting in Carrickfergus and Bangor over the summer, the SDLP minister set the UDA a deadline of next Tuesday to disarm.

“I am aware of the UDA statement today. I am somewhat disappointed by its tone, but I understand also that there is engagement with General de Chastelain today.

“My position is clear and the UDA understands it. I remain hopeful, however, that we will see real progress which can benefit the loyalist communities who are my primary concern,” she said.