UK News 20-09-2001 IRA Offer Fresh Decomissioning Talks who: IRA what: Offer to reopen decomissioning talks where: Northern Ireland when: Yesterday snippet: "With just two days left for all sides to reach a deal to save devolved government in Northern Ireland," writes the Guardian`s Rosie Cowan, "the IRA offered last night to intensify its efforts to resolve the impasse over decommissioning its weapons." Expressing sympathy for the victims of terrorist attacks in the USA, an IRA statement continued by stating that renewed dialogue "is within the context of our commitment to deal satisfactorily with the question of arms, and with a view to accelerating progress towards the comprehensive resolution of this issue." The Independent is not optimistic "that enough progress could be made to avert the suspension of the Belfast Assembly, which is due this weekend. But the move has increased the possibility that the suspension would be set for six weeks, rather than for an indefinite period." "Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said yesterday that there had never been a better time for Ulster`s terrorists to come in from the cold after last week`s attacks in America," reports the Times. "He later welcomed the IRA`s decision, adding that it was important that the offer was quickly built upon." But while British and Irish leaders reaffirmed their commitment to breaking the deadlock, Unionists chose to criticise the IRA`s actions. Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds, quoted by BBC Online, branded the IRA`s comments "nauseating" and "hypocritical": "It is a cynical PR stunt designed to make the IRA and the republican movement look good as we run up to the weekend and as the international community focuses in the actions of terrorists," he said. [... more]

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