McAleese: ‘Milestone for peace’

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese said the announcement by the UDA was a positive milestone on the journey to peace.

“The decommissioning of weapons by the UDA... is further testimony to the reality that we are witnessing the deconstruction of a culture of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland and that it is being replaced by a culture of consensus, democracy and good neighbourliness.”

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the news was a clear signal that the North has moved on and the democratic institutions established by the Good Friday Agreement are the means through which the entire community in the North and of this island, can and will build lasting peace and prosperity.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin said the UDA had removed another obstacle to partnership in the North: “I would like to express the Government’s appreciation to the loyalist leadership and all those who contributed to the courageous work which facilitated this decision for peace.

“This is a statement of confidence in the political process and in the devolved institutions, one which moves us closer to that genuinely shared future for which so many have worked over decades... Another obstacle to dialogue and partnership has been removed.”

Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said it was a substantial move forward.

“The nationalist and unionist populations will both be relieved that a substantial amount of guns are being taken off our streets and nationalist communities in particular would rest much easier as a result of that.

“There can be no place for guns as we move forward in advancing the political process, this process has been about taking the gun out of Irish politics.”

Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward said the move was a vindication of British Government policy: “This is a major act of leadership by the UDA and further comprehensive evidence of the success of politics over violence in Northern Ireland.

“I am pleased that today’s very good news from the IICD provides yet more evidence that firmness of Government policy, with a clear deadline, have produced a startlingly strong outcome, removing some of the most dangerous weapons from the streets.”