IMC Publishes New Report

Calls Sinn Fein Decision On Policing "A Very Major Development"

The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) released its 13th Report last week and it was the most positive yet.

Progress was reported on both sides of the sectarian divide, with particular praise reserved for Sinn Féin's recent decision to endorse the PSNI and policing in the North.

According to the latest report, the Provisional IRA (PIRA) has continued to dismantle its paramilitary structures and has not been involved in, nor prepared for, attacks on the security forces. Many members of PIRA are said to have taken up "political roles" in Sinn Féin in furtherance of their commitment to follow a political rather than military path.

The report also indicates that the IRA has not been responsible for any shootings or assaults within the time period covered and that it is not gathering intelligence for "unlawful purposes," though it does note that it is "gathering information to support its political strategy."

IRA leadership,it is said, continues to provide clear leadership to its members indicating that "terrorism and violence have been abandoned.

The IMC welcomed Sinn Féin's recent commitment to support policing saying that the "decision of the ard fheis... to support policing and the criminal justice system was a very major development.

"That decision and the efforts invested by the leadership of the republican movement in presenting the arguments in favour of the change were further substantial evidence of their commitment to the democratic process."

The IMC also welcomed recent moves by the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), though both loyalist organisations were still said to be involved in sectarian attacks and criminal activities.

The biggest threat still comes from dissident republican groups who continue to be active in both launching and planning attacks. The report was also concerned at the formation of a new group, Oglaigh na hEireann, which it described as "dangerously active."

Both the British and Irish governments welcomed the latest report.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was positive at the report's praise for SF but warned Unionists that it was time to step forward and advance the process laid out in the St. Andrew's Agreement.

According to the Taoiseach, the report gave "further clear evidence [that] the IRA's campaign is over for good.

"For the process to work we also need the DUP to understand that just as they have had expectations about Republicans and policing, so too have Nationalists and Republicans got a legitimate and not unreasonable expectation of the DUP in relation to power-sharing."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the findings of the IMC confirmed "that the IRA has taken a political path and is dismantling its paramilitary structures."

The Unionists seemed split on the verdict of the latest report however, with DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson saying that the "latest report, whilst welcome, does still leave a number of issues which need to be addressed particularly the involvement of IRA members in criminal activity".

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey seemed to disagree insisting that the report made it "clear that barring some sporadic and unsanctioned activity, the IRA continues to make progress towards exclusively peaceful and democratic means."

The Prime Minister also confirmed that the elections for the restored Assembly will take place on March 7th, saying that the people of Northern Ireland "have the prospect over these coming weeks of managing to ensure that the executive goes back up and we have a proper set of devolved institutions on a basis that is sustainable."