Charlotte
01-02-06, 05:15 PM
The IRA is still involved in criminality, assaults and intelligence gathering, according to a new report.
But the organisation has made progress since last July towards transforming itself from a paramilitary organisation into a peaceful on, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/02/01/uira.jpgThe IRA is 'making progress'However, both the IMC and the independent decommissioning body revealed they had been told by security sources that some handguns had been retained by IRA members despite the completion of a disarmament programme last September.
The IRA denied the claims, while the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning said it was satisfied the IRA had destroyed all the weapons under its control.
In its latest assessment for the British and Irish Governments, the IMC said the IRA appeared to be moving in the right direction, but that the situation was not straightforward.
"There are a number of signs that the organisation is moving in the way it had indicated in the July statement," the report said.
"Although some other signs are at best neutral and a few are more disturbing, most are in a positive direction."
The report said the IRA leadership seemed to have abandoned the armed campaign, and that the organisation appeared to be restructuring. There was no evidence of any recruitment, training or any intention to attack members of the security forces.
But the IMC said it was aware of at least six unreported assaults by IRA members, and expressed concerns that the organisation was still involved in intelligence gathering and organised crime, including tobacco and fuel smuggling.
Senior members of the organisation were also accused of laundering money, with the proceeds of crime being used to buy property or legitimate businesses.
Ahead of Monday's talks aimed at reviving Northern Ireland's Assembly, Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said it was "a positive report".
"It shows that the IRA is moving in the right direction and is closing down - no murders, no recruitment and no bank robberies," he said.
"There is enough progress in this report to make the process of talking meaningful - not an Executive up and running tomorrow, but the beginning of a process of genuine and purposeful engagement."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/01/uira.xml&sSheet=/portal/2006/02/01/ixportaltop.html)
But the organisation has made progress since last July towards transforming itself from a paramilitary organisation into a peaceful on, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/02/01/uira.jpgThe IRA is 'making progress'However, both the IMC and the independent decommissioning body revealed they had been told by security sources that some handguns had been retained by IRA members despite the completion of a disarmament programme last September.
The IRA denied the claims, while the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning said it was satisfied the IRA had destroyed all the weapons under its control.
In its latest assessment for the British and Irish Governments, the IMC said the IRA appeared to be moving in the right direction, but that the situation was not straightforward.
"There are a number of signs that the organisation is moving in the way it had indicated in the July statement," the report said.
"Although some other signs are at best neutral and a few are more disturbing, most are in a positive direction."
The report said the IRA leadership seemed to have abandoned the armed campaign, and that the organisation appeared to be restructuring. There was no evidence of any recruitment, training or any intention to attack members of the security forces.
But the IMC said it was aware of at least six unreported assaults by IRA members, and expressed concerns that the organisation was still involved in intelligence gathering and organised crime, including tobacco and fuel smuggling.
Senior members of the organisation were also accused of laundering money, with the proceeds of crime being used to buy property or legitimate businesses.
Ahead of Monday's talks aimed at reviving Northern Ireland's Assembly, Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said it was "a positive report".
"It shows that the IRA is moving in the right direction and is closing down - no murders, no recruitment and no bank robberies," he said.
"There is enough progress in this report to make the process of talking meaningful - not an Executive up and running tomorrow, but the beginning of a process of genuine and purposeful engagement."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/01/uira.xml&sSheet=/portal/2006/02/01/ixportaltop.html)