IRA statement could be released

The public could know soon what the IRA offered the British and Irish governments to move the Northern Ireland peace process forward, Sinn Fein’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness hinted today.

As Sinn Fein continued to talk to officials in London and Dublin to break the deadlock in the peace process, the Mid Ulster MP signalled republicans may be preparing to release the confidential IRA statement which the British and Irish governments felt was not enough to restore devolution.

Mr McGuinness told PA News the public had a right to know what the Provisionals had offered and what was in the British and Irish governments’ blueprint on the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

“It’s my view that the public deserve to have a sense of what the IRA put to the two governments and the leader of the Ulster Unionists (David Trimble),” the former Stormont Education Minister said.

“The public are entitled to have a clear understanding of the present situation.

“It will be incumbent on everybody to publish the joint declaration which deals with critical issues around the rights and entitlements of people.”

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Tony Blair put three questions to the IRA publicly in a bid to get more clarity from the organisation about its future.

He asked: “When the IRA say that their strategies and disciplines will not be inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement, does that mean an end to all activities inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement including targeting, procurement of weapons, so-called punishment beatings and so forth?

“Secondly, when they say that they are committed to putting arms beyond use through the decommissioning commission, does that mean all arms so that the process is complete?

“And thirdly, when they say that they support the Good Friday Agreement and want it to work, does that mean that if the two governments and the other parties fulfil their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement and the joint declaration, does that mean the complete and final closure of the conflict?”

Sinn Fein leaders reacted angrily, insisting the IRA statement was clear and unambiguous.

Mr McGuinness said it was Sinn Fein’s view that the statement passed by the IRA was unprecedented, unparalleled and final.

“The IRA used the words that they had concluded their statement and that is where it sits,” he said.

“Things are coming to a head right now and clarity will soon need to be injected into the situation.

“Both governments are facing important decisions over the coming days. They must release the joint declaration but we also need to know that Assembly elections are going ahead on May 29.

“Tony Blair needs to state clearly there will be an election and David Trimble needs to state clearly he is prepared to let the institutions function properly.”

The Sinn Fein MP said his party believed it would be wrong for the British Government “to suspend the democratic process” by postponing elections.

“Even as we speak, discussions with the governments are ongoing with a view to trying to get a resolution,” he said.

“Our concern in the Sinn Fein leadership is to see the Good Friday Agreement fully implemented.

“We want the Assembly dissolved at midnight tomorrow as agreed, so that elections can take place.

“People are entitled to vote. Devolution may be suspended but no-one has the right to suspend the democratic process.”