Unionists say IRA statement is not enough

Ulster Unionists have said the IRA statement was not enough - they wanted more, including an assurance that the war was over.

Lord Kilclooney, former party deputy leader John Taylor MP, said what the IRA said was ‘‘not sufficient’’.

‘‘It is not sympathy that Ulster Unionists want from the IRA but an assurance that the war is over.’’

He added: ‘‘There is absolutely no such assurance from the IRA. Instead, the statement is words, words and more words.

‘‘It provides for the IRA to continue, as in recent years, with more purchases of illegal arms, more murders, more beatings of innocent Catholics and more international adventures.

‘‘I say to the IRA/Sinn Fein, more is needed from you. Certainly on this basis Sinn Fein is not welcome into the membership of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.’’

In London, the initial reaction from Government sources was to give a guarded welcome to the IRA statement while stressing the need for the Good Friday Agreement to be implemented in full.

‘‘The Government clearly regrets all deaths during the Troubles but if this addresses the painful legacy of the past, then it is welcome,’’ one senior source said.

‘‘But what it underlines is the need for us all to implement the agreement in full to ensure that there are no future deaths from violence in Northern Ireland.’’

Liberal Democrat Northern Ireland spokesman Lembit Opik said: ‘‘This statement recognising the grief that has been caused to all during the conflict in Northern Ireland and apologising to the families of innocent civilians who were killed is welcome.

‘‘It should be recognised as a positive contribution to the peace process.’’