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UDA won't recognise arms deadline UDA adamant despite cash threat
(about 4 hours later)
The Ulster Defence Association has confirmed it is sticking to its own timetable on getting rid of its weapons, despite a Tuesday deadline.The Ulster Defence Association has confirmed it is sticking to its own timetable on getting rid of its weapons, despite a Tuesday deadline.
NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said the paramilitaries had begun "meaningful" talks with the decommissioning body.NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said the paramilitaries had begun "meaningful" talks with the decommissioning body.
Social development minister Margaret Ritchie had threatened to block £1.2m from a loyalist project. Social development minister Margaret Ritchie has threatened to block £1.2m from a conflict transformation project.
She warned this could be redirected to help loyalist areas "yearning to escape the shackles of paramilitarism".She warned this could be redirected to help loyalist areas "yearning to escape the shackles of paramilitarism".
The funding was aimed at helping to move the paramilitary organisation away from violence.The funding was aimed at helping to move the paramilitary organisation away from violence.
Ms Ritchie set the 60-day decommissioning deadline in August following trouble in Carrickfergus and Bangor linked to the UDA.Ms Ritchie set the 60-day decommissioning deadline in August following trouble in Carrickfergus and Bangor linked to the UDA.
Once we get an inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on Frankie GallagherUlster Political Research Group UDA bites at huge cash carrot She told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday that this money could be redirected to different projects tackling poverty in disadvantaged loyalist areas.Once we get an inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on Frankie GallagherUlster Political Research Group UDA bites at huge cash carrot She told the BBC's Politics Show on Sunday that this money could be redirected to different projects tackling poverty in disadvantaged loyalist areas.
"What I will do is quite simple: I will redirect funding if there is no decommissioning."What I will do is quite simple: I will redirect funding if there is no decommissioning.
"What we have had is engagement with General De Chastelain (of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) some 13 years after the ceasefires, and we have not yet seen a start to getting rid of its arms and arsenal.""What we have had is engagement with General De Chastelain (of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) some 13 years after the ceasefires, and we have not yet seen a start to getting rid of its arms and arsenal."
She admitted that Mr Woodward's statement had put some pressure on her, but she insisted she would make the final decision on the funding.She admitted that Mr Woodward's statement had put some pressure on her, but she insisted she would make the final decision on the funding.
"There is some pressure there, but I have set my deadline and it is up to the minister for social development to do the monitoring and make the decision at the end of the day.""There is some pressure there, but I have set my deadline and it is up to the minister for social development to do the monitoring and make the decision at the end of the day."
However, Frankie Gallagher of the UDA-linked Ulster Political Research Group reiterated the group would decommission in its own time.However, Frankie Gallagher of the UDA-linked Ulster Political Research Group reiterated the group would decommission in its own time.
This statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadlineThis statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadline
He told the programme "deadlines are never kept" but pressure works to an extent.He told the programme "deadlines are never kept" but pressure works to an extent.
"What the UDA needs, what all the people in Northern Ireland need is a fully inclusive society," he said."What the UDA needs, what all the people in Northern Ireland need is a fully inclusive society," he said.
"Once we get that inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on.""Once we get that inclusive society, it will be easier for the UDA to move on."
On Saturday, Mr Woodward welcomed the fact that "meaningful engagement and negotiations have started".On Saturday, Mr Woodward welcomed the fact that "meaningful engagement and negotiations have started".
Loyalist sources insist that a process is underway that could lead to decommissioning at a later date, and it appears that Mr Woodward has endorsed this view.Loyalist sources insist that a process is underway that could lead to decommissioning at a later date, and it appears that Mr Woodward has endorsed this view.
The UDA has been meeting the commission led by General John De Chastelain for more than two years.The UDA has been meeting the commission led by General John De Chastelain for more than two years.
Earlier, Alliance Party leader David Ford said Mr Woodward's "unhelpful statement" showed a "lack of respect" for the devolved institutions and Ms Ritchie's work.Earlier, Alliance Party leader David Ford said Mr Woodward's "unhelpful statement" showed a "lack of respect" for the devolved institutions and Ms Ritchie's work.
"This statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadline," he said."This statement cannot be used as a get-out clause for the UDA to get their funding and I would again urge Margaret Ritchie to stick to her deadline," he said.