This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7033161.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UDA weapons deadline draws closer Loyalist warning on UDA arms move
(about 2 hours later)
The 60-day deadline set by the social development minister for the beginning of decommissioning by the Ulster Defence Association expires on Tuesday. The deadline for decommissioning of Ulster Defence Association weapons could derail the peace process, a loyalist spokesman has claimed.
Margaret Ritchie has admitted she is under pressure to soften her stance. The 60-day deadline set by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie for the beginning of UDA arms decommissioning expires on Tuesday.
This came after it emerged the group had begun 'meaningful engagement' with the body that oversees decommissioning. Frankie Gallagher, of the Ulster Political Research Group, said her move could lead to a "disastrous place".
Ms Richie said the final decision on whether to redirect £1.2m from the Conflict Transformation Initiative to other loyalist projects was hers. Margaret Ritchie has admitted she has come under pressure to compromise.
The UDA, however, has confirmed it is sticking to its own timetable on getting rid of its weapons, despite a Tuesday deadline. Pressure on her came after it emerged the UDA had begun "meaningful engagement" with the body that oversees decommissioning.
Weapons
The minister said the final decision on whether to redirect £1.2m from the Conflict Transformation Initiative to other loyalist projects was hers.
The UDA, however, said it was adhering to its own timetable for getting rid of its weapons, despite Tuesday's deadline.
Speaking on BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Frankie Gallagher from the UPRG, which advises the UDA, said the timing should not be dictated.
"People have gone an extra mile," he said.
"Everybody is trying to double their efforts to maintain the peace process and if this derails the peace process because a minister connects social need with decommissioning, then we are in a disastrous place."
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.
Ms Ritchie said the funding could be redirected to help loyalist areas "yearning to escape the shackles of paramilitarism". The funding was intended to help move the UDA away from violence.
The funding was aimed at helping to move the paramilitary organisation away from violence.