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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Positive verdict on IRA activity | Positive verdict on IRA activity |
| (1 day later) | |
| The IRA is firmly committed to following a political path and is not engaged in terrorist activity, Northern Ireland's ceasefire watchdog has said. | The IRA is firmly committed to following a political path and is not engaged in terrorist activity, Northern Ireland's ceasefire watchdog has said. |
| The Independent Monitoring Commission reported the IRA still had a command and control structure but said this was vital for keeping on its peaceful path. | The Independent Monitoring Commission reported the IRA still had a command and control structure but said this was vital for keeping on its peaceful path. |
| It said dissident republicans posed the most significant threat while loyalists remained involved in violence. | It said dissident republicans posed the most significant threat while loyalists remained involved in violence. |
| Meanwhile, it said troop levels have dropped to 8,300, ahead of schedule. | Meanwhile, it said troop levels have dropped to 8,300, ahead of schedule. |
| The IMC's 11th report focused mostly on security matters. | The IMC's 11th report focused mostly on security matters. |
| Its next one, due next month, will focus more on paramilitary activity, although Tuesday's report provided a brief assessment of the level of danger. | Its next one, due next month, will focus more on paramilitary activity, although Tuesday's report provided a brief assessment of the level of danger. |
| We note in particular the report's conclusion that the IRA is firmly committed to following a political path, is not engaged in terrorist activity and has taken a stance against criminality Ambassador Mitchell ReissUS Envoy | We note in particular the report's conclusion that the IRA is firmly committed to following a political path, is not engaged in terrorist activity and has taken a stance against criminality Ambassador Mitchell ReissUS Envoy |
| It said dissident republicans were seen as the main threat, although their operations have been hampered by their limited expertise. | It said dissident republicans were seen as the main threat, although their operations have been hampered by their limited expertise. |
| There was acknowledgement that loyalist paramilitary leaders had contributed to the quiet marching season, but the IMC said loyalists remain engaged in violence. | There was acknowledgement that loyalist paramilitary leaders had contributed to the quiet marching season, but the IMC said loyalists remain engaged in violence. |
| It expressed concern about the UVF's refusal to clarify its position ahead of the November devolution deadline. | It expressed concern about the UVF's refusal to clarify its position ahead of the November devolution deadline. |
| Stance against criminality | Stance against criminality |
| The IMC gave a positive verdict on the IRA: it said the organisation was not engaged in any terrorist activity, including procuring weapons or training members. | The IMC gave a positive verdict on the IRA: it said the organisation was not engaged in any terrorist activity, including procuring weapons or training members. |
| The four-man body believes the IRA leadership is opposed to the use of violence in community control and has taken a stance against criminality. | The four-man body believes the IRA leadership is opposed to the use of violence in community control and has taken a stance against criminality. |
| It said the IRA still had a command and control structure but argued this was an important element in maintaining the IRA on its chosen path. | It said the IRA still had a command and control structure but argued this was an important element in maintaining the IRA on its chosen path. |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said the report showed that things were "changing for the better every day". | |
| "The report recognises both the dramatic changes that have been made to the security apparatus in Northern Ireland, and that these changes are commensurate with the threat and consistent with the government's responsibility for public protection," he said. | |
| "It also reaffirms the view that PIRA is committed to following a political path and that the leadership has taken a stand against criminality and engaged in successful dialogue to prevent violence during the parading season." | |
| The IRA has dealt decisively with genuine issues of concern put forward by unionists Michelle GildernewSinn Fein MP | The IRA has dealt decisively with genuine issues of concern put forward by unionists Michelle GildernewSinn Fein MP |
| The Irish justice minister, Michael McDowell, welcomed the report but said that the threat from dissident groups still caused concern. | The Irish justice minister, Michael McDowell, welcomed the report but said that the threat from dissident groups still caused concern. |
| "The report reflects the changed security environment in Northern Ireland that, consistent with protecting public safety, will advance the cause of peace and create the conditions for a full return to government by the elected representatives in Northern Ireland," he said. | "The report reflects the changed security environment in Northern Ireland that, consistent with protecting public safety, will advance the cause of peace and create the conditions for a full return to government by the elected representatives in Northern Ireland," he said. |
| US Envoy Ambassador Mitchell Reiss said the United States government welcomed the report. | US Envoy Ambassador Mitchell Reiss said the United States government welcomed the report. |
| "We note in particular the report's conclusion that the IRA is firmly committed to following a political path, is not engaged in terrorist activity and has taken a stance against criminality," he said. | "We note in particular the report's conclusion that the IRA is firmly committed to following a political path, is not engaged in terrorist activity and has taken a stance against criminality," he said. |
| SDLP leader Mark Durkan said it was "a positive report from the IMC". | SDLP leader Mark Durkan said it was "a positive report from the IMC". |
| "The DUP needs to face up to its contents. The IMC is finding that the IRA is not now involved in terrorist activity and its leadership is taking a stance against criminality," he said. | "The DUP needs to face up to its contents. The IMC is finding that the IRA is not now involved in terrorist activity and its leadership is taking a stance against criminality," he said. |
| However, the DUP said the IRA's transition into an exclusively peaceful organisation "was not yet complete". | |
| Deputy leader Peter Robinson said: "If, as the IMC indicate, IRA discipline is needed to maintain 'the organisation on its chosen path', then this is a clear indication that republicans have not yet reached the stage where their natural tendency is to opt for exclusively peaceful and democratic means." | Deputy leader Peter Robinson said: "If, as the IMC indicate, IRA discipline is needed to maintain 'the organisation on its chosen path', then this is a clear indication that republicans have not yet reached the stage where their natural tendency is to opt for exclusively peaceful and democratic means." |
| Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew said the time for the DUP to commit to a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland was "long since passed". | |
| "The IRA has dealt decisively with genuine issues of concern put forward by unionists and it is very clear that the time for the DUP using this issue as an excuse not to engage and move forward has long since passed," she said. | "The IRA has dealt decisively with genuine issues of concern put forward by unionists and it is very clear that the time for the DUP using this issue as an excuse not to engage and move forward has long since passed," she said. |
| Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy said: "It appears that there are elements of progress in this report that are to be welcomed, particularly from the Provisional IRA. | Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy said: "It appears that there are elements of progress in this report that are to be welcomed, particularly from the Provisional IRA. |
| "The UUP will continue to monitor this progress while we await the more substantive reports later this autumn." | "The UUP will continue to monitor this progress while we await the more substantive reports later this autumn." |
| The Independent Monitoring Commission was set up by the British and Irish governments in January 2004. | The Independent Monitoring Commission was set up by the British and Irish governments in January 2004. |
| Most of its reports have concentrated on activity by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. | Most of its reports have concentrated on activity by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. |
| However, it also monitors the "normalisation" of security measures in the province. | However, it also monitors the "normalisation" of security measures in the province. |
| Its four commissioners come from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Britain and the US. | Its four commissioners come from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Britain and the US. |