Hain optimistic over IRA dumping arms

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said he had received positive intelligence about IRA decommissioning and called on the Provisionals to make the process momentous.

Mr Hain identified the Independent Monitoring Commission report in January as a critical moment as it would indicate whether the organisation’s historic statement was being transformed into reality.

But speaking after talks at Stormont Castle with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, the Secretary of State said he was optimistic progress was being made.

Mr Hain said: “So far, in the first six or seven weeks (since the IRA statement), the signs are quite good and the reports and information I have had would seem to suggest that it is being delivered on the ground.”

Asked if he was confident the Provisionals will move soon on decommissioning, Mr Hain said: “What is important is that they move not just sooner rather than later but that they move with credibility.

“That everybody, even those most sceptical and suspicious, can be convinced that the promises to dump arms on July 28 are genuinely being implemented and that decommissioning is a major and momentous event. And let’s hope that it is.”

On the timescale for the potential return of power-sharing the minister said: “Well, I have said all along is that I don’t think this will happen in weeks but it cannot happen in years.

“Northern Ireland cannot be caught paralysed politically in so many other ways for a long period of time.”