UFF, UDA announce ceasefire

The Ulster Freedom Fighters and Ulster Defence Association today announced a 12-month ceasefire.

In a statement issued through the Ulster Political Research Group, the paramilitary organisations said they would monitor “every three months” efforts to improve the political situation in Northern Ireland.

They also confirmed that they would be submitting a new name to the international decommissioning body in Belfast to enter into discussions on disarmament.

However they added: “On decommissioning our stance remains the same, whenever we are confident that the Republican Movement have decommissioned fully, we will then fully respond.”

The UDA declared: ``As from February 21 2003 all units of the Ulster Freedom Fighters, the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Young Militants in mainland Britain and in Northern Ireland have begun to observe a 12-month period of military inactivity.

“This period will be monitored internally every three months to ensure that there is real and genuine political movement during and after the election of the new Assembly in Northern Ireland.

“An agreed, acceptable and equitable final settlement will produce even greater peace and stability within the confines of our beloved Ulster.

“We would urge the Dublin Government and the British Government to be less dictatorial during any new negotiations.”