Blair: IRA terror campaign is over

[it would be wrong to say: FUCKING IRISH!!]

THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.
THE IRA's campaign of terror is finally over, Tony Blair declared last night, as he insisted next week's all-party talks in Scotland would create a "unique opportunity" to clinch a final settlement on Northern Ireland's future.The Prime Minister and Bertie Ahern, the Taoiseach, are hoping that yesterday's report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the ceasefire watchdog, will pile pressure on Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists to cut a deal on power-sharing when they meet from Wednesday in St Andrews.Speaking from No 10, Mr Blair told reporters the IMC's "objective assessment" was clear: the IRA was no longer involved in terrorist or criminal activity, in recruiting and targeting individuals or in so-called community punishments; it had stopped training as well as the procurement of illegal weapons and that it had disbanded those elements within its organisation responsible for such activities.Mr Blair accepted many people might be sceptical about the IMC's view but he was adamant: "The IRA's campaign is over," noting: "The IRA has done what we asked it to do and, while issues like policing remain to be resolved, the door is now open to a final settlement which is why the talks next week in Scotland are going to be so important."The Prime Minister pointed out how getting a deal at St Andrews would require courage and leadership on all sides. He added: "This will be a unique opportunity. I hope all the parties understand that and seize that opportunity to create a future for the people of Northern Ireland."The uniqueness stems from the fact that not only has the IMC judged the IRA to have eschewed violence for good but also that there is the deadline of November 24 by which all the parties have to agree a power-sharing deal or see Northern Ireland run from Whitehall for the foreseeable future.In addition, No 10 was keen to stress that neither Mr Blair nor Mr Ahern – given that elections in Ireland are expected in the spring – would be around to revive the peace process should the Scotland talks fail.While the IMC report was its most positive by far in relation to the IRA as an organisation, it did not represent a clean bill of health, pointing out how individual IRA members continued to line their pockets through robbery, smuggling and fuel laundering. Responding to the report, the Taoiseach echoed the Prime Minister's optimism, describing the IMC's findings on the IRA as "positive and clear-cut". He claimed the security landscape in Northern Ireland had been radically altered, and added: "It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."While the UK government and Unionists still feel there is some way to go for Sinn Fein to accept the policing set-up in Northern Ireland, most of the pressure to secure a settlement is now focused on Ian Paisley and the Democratic Unionists.Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, argued that the DUP had "very limited options" if it failed to negotiate an agreement, ie it could delay change but not stop it. Last night, Mr Paisley accepted there had been "progress" in getting the IRA to abandon the Armalite. However, he said his party noted with concern the IMC's reference to "the ongoing involvement of members of the IRA in criminality". One UK government minister close to the talks told The Herald that while there was optimism a deal could be struck, the DUP leader remained "inscrutable" and that, as ever in Ulster politics, the talks could go right to the wire.