Ireland, Britain seek clarification of IRA statement

The Irish and British Governments have asked the IRA to provide further clarification of a statement it issued to Dublin and London last night outlining its stance on the peace process.

The statement is believed to expand on a declaration issued last week which was rejected by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

A British Government source is expected to acknowledge later today that last night's statement represented progress from the IRA, but Mr Blair and Mr Ahern are withholding a decision on whether to unveil their long-awaited "blueprint for peace" until they receive further clarification from the IRA.

If this clarification is deemed to be adequate, the two leaders will travel to the North later today to publish their proposals for restoring the suspended Assembly and Executive. These proposals include movement on policing, demilitarisation and justice in return for an end to paramilitary activity by the IRA.

The republican movement has been under severe pressure to act following Mr Ahern and Mr Blair's rejection of its initial statement last week, but should the Irish and British Governments accept the latest declaration, the pressure will switch to the Ulster Unionist Party, which must decide if the "blueprint for peace" is enough to warrant a return to power-sharing with Sinn Fein.