Ervine: Loyalists want clear IRA statement

Loyalists would like to see a clear and unambiguous acceptance from the IRA that the way forward for republicanism is only through politics, Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine said today.

With speculation intensifying that the IRA will issue a groundbreaking statement on its future this week, possibly Thursday, Mr Ervine said loyalists wanted a clear indication that republicans were abandoning their armed struggle for good.

While he acknowledged that most unionists would be sceptical about the statement, Mr Ervine said the significance of a statement committing the Provisionals to exclusively peaceful and democratic means should not be understimated.

“When the statement is issued, I will obviously be looking for the IRA to say the war is over, for a recognition of that and for the abandonment of armed struggle,” the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) leader, whose party is linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando, said.

“Our experience is that the IRA never uses the words people want but whatever they say, it has to be clear and unambiguous that their armed struggle is over.

“In many respects, it doesn’t matter for some unionists and loyalists what the IRA says. After the Northern Bank robbery and the murder of Robert McCartney, they may not even read the statement but judge the IRA on what it does or doesn’t do on the ground.

“I will certainly be reading it and if the statement indicates the start of an ideological shift by the IRA and that is communicated clearly, it will be very, very significant.”

With the Ulster Volunteer Force currently engaged in a bitter feud with the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force which has left two people dead, Mr Ervine said the terror group was focussing heavily on that situation.

But he said they would also be watching the IRA’s statement.

“The UVF and Red Hand have given no indication to me that they have lost interest in the peace process,” the East Belfast MLA said.

“The theory they are putting to me is that they will return to the process.”