IRA puts more weapons beyond use

The IRA first decommissioned weapons in October 2001

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- The Irish Republican Army (IRA) has decommissioned a "substantial" amount of weapons.

The announcement, made on Monday, was confirmed by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).

The IICD oversees the disposal of weapons as part of Northern Ireland's peace process.

The IRA released a statement said it had taken the step in an attempt to "stabilise" the peace process in Northern Ireland.

The first act of IRA decommissioning came last October, when guns and explosives at two arms dumps were put beyond use. (Full story)

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In its statement to the British and Irish governments, the IICD said: "We have witnessed an event in which the IRA leadership has put a varied and substantial quantity of ammunition, arms and explosive material beyond use.

"In accordance with the governments' scheme and regulations, we have made an inventory of the arms concerned, which we will provide to the two governments when our task is completed."

The statement was signed by General John de Chastelain, head of the IICD, and his colleague, Andrew Sens.

The British and Irish governments welcomed the move.

Speaking in Prague, where he was discussing EU enlargement with his Czech counterpart, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was "very pleased."

He said: "It's worth reflecting in Northern Ireland that for all the faults and all the difficulties of the process, for all the hard compromises along the way, we have made tremendous progress.

"There is still a long way to go but this further act of decomissioning is immensely significant."

He compared the situation in Northern Ireland with the conflict raging between the Israelis and Palestinians.

"We can see the advantages of pursuing a political process," he said.

Earlier, Blair's official spokesman in London said: "What it shows is that the Good Friday Agreement -- which is four years' old this week -- is being implemented in all its aspects."

Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said: "This is very welcome news. It shows that last October's action by the IRA was not an isolated event. We are definitely moving in the right direction."

David Trimble, leader of Northern Ireland's government and the largest Protestant party, the Ulster Unionists, called the move "significant" and said it would increase pressure on outlawed Protestant groups to begin surrendering weapons too.

However, Peter Robinson, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said the event was of "no significance."

He said it had been timed to help Sinn Fein -- the political ally of the IRA -- win seats in the Republic of Ireland general election expected in May.

'Detailed discussions'

The statement released by the IRA on Monday said the move had been taken after "detailed discussions between our representative and the IICD.

"This initiative is unilateral at a time when there are those who are not fulfilling their obligations.

"It could be argued that the IRA should not take such an initiative, but it is precisely because of this that an initiative has been undertaken, so the peace process can be stabilised, sustained and strengthened.

"We fully appreciate the difficulties this causes for republicans. However the IRA is a highly disciplined and committed organisation.

"This is a leadership initiative. We are relying on the discipline and commitment of our support base and our volunteers.

"We remain committed to achieving our republican objectives. However, the securing of a democratic peace settlement is not solely a task for Irish republicans and we are mindful of the primary obligation of the British government and of the Unionist leadership.

"This process can work if there is the political will to make it succeed, the IRA has once again demonstrated that will."

The statement was signed P O'Neill, as with all statements from the IRA's leadership.