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Loyalists told to hand over guns Loyalists told to hand over guns
(about 1 hour later)
Loyalist paramilitaries must decommission to prove they are serious about ending violence, the Northern Ireland secretary has said.Loyalist paramilitaries must decommission to prove they are serious about ending violence, the Northern Ireland secretary has said.
Shaun Woodward was speaking after the latest report by the Independent Monitoring Commission.Shaun Woodward was speaking after the latest report by the Independent Monitoring Commission.
It said there was no early prospect of contact between the UDA and arms body leading to weapons being destroyed.It said there was no early prospect of contact between the UDA and arms body leading to weapons being destroyed.
The rival UVF said in May it was putting weapons beyond reach - but was not handing them over.The rival UVF said in May it was putting weapons beyond reach - but was not handing them over.
Mr Woodward said he recognised that there were some loyalist leaders who are trying to move their communities out of conflict.Mr Woodward said he recognised that there were some loyalist leaders who are trying to move their communities out of conflict.
"As the report makes clear, decommissioning is the test by which anyparamilitary organisation must ultimately expect to be judged," he said. "As the report makes clear, decommissioning is the test by which any paramilitary organisation must ultimately expect to be judged," he said.
The report said there was no prospect of the UDA destroying armsThe report said there was no prospect of the UDA destroying arms
"As with the Provisional IRA, ultimately loyalists will be judged by what theydo, not by what they say. "As with the Provisional IRA, ultimately loyalists will be judged by what they do, not by what they say.
"I urge both the UVF and the UDA to demonstrate courage and leadership to takethe next vital step." "I urge both the UVF and the UDA to demonstrate courage and leadership to take the next vital step."
The four-member commission confirmed the UDA was involved in clasheswith a rival faction in Carrickfergus in July and said it had to bear responsibility forthe wounding of a police officer in a gun attack. The four-member commission confirmed the UDA was involved in clashes with a rival faction in Carrickfergus in July and said it had to bear responsibility for the wounding of a police officer in a gun attack.
UDA members, it also said, took part in serious rioting which erupted in Augustin the loyalist Kilcooley estate in Bangor following police raids. UDA members, it also said, took part in serious rioting which erupted in August in the loyalist Kilcooley estate in Bangor following police raids.
The organisation was blamed for other attacks including the petrol bombing inBallymena of premises occupied by two Polish nationals. The organisation was blamed for other attacks including the petrol bombing in Ballymena of premises occupied by two Polish nationals.
Despite efforts by the leadership to discourage involvement in crime, membersalso engaged between 1 March and 31 August in drug dealing, loan sharking andthe sale of counterfeit goods. Despite efforts by the leadership to discourage involvement in crime, members also engaged between 1 March and 31 August in drug dealing, loan sharking and the sale of counterfeit goods.
Up to 200 people were involved in summer rioting in BangorUp to 200 people were involved in summer rioting in Bangor
Turning to the IRA, Mr Woodward welcomed the assessment by the ceasefire watchdog that the organisation remained committed to a stable and peaceful path.Turning to the IRA, Mr Woodward welcomed the assessment by the ceasefire watchdog that the organisation remained committed to a stable and peaceful path.
The commission said: "Some members in some areas have not entirely moved on from theview that dealing with anti-social behaviour is appropriately mediated bythreats and social exclusion, as a form of community control, rather than byproper human rights compliant community policing. The commission said: "Some members in some areas have not entirely moved on from the view that dealing with anti-social behaviour is appropriately mediated by threats and social exclusion, as a form of community control, rather than by proper human rights compliant community policing.
"That said, we remain of the firm view that the organisation is fullycommitted to the political path and will not be diverted from it." "That said, we remain of the firm view that the organisation is fully committed to the political path and will not be diverted from it."
The report covers the six-month period to the end of August.The report covers the six-month period to the end of August.
Last month's killing of south Armagh man Paul Quinn in a County Monaghan barn, along with allegations that IRA members were involved, will feature in the commission's next report.Last month's killing of south Armagh man Paul Quinn in a County Monaghan barn, along with allegations that IRA members were involved, will feature in the commission's next report.