Seamus Mallon,Believes decommissioning will happen
The North's Deputy First Minister has warned that their fledgling government will collapse unless the IRA dismantles its war machine. However, Seamus Mallon said that he was confident the Republicans' weapons would be put beyond use. Mr Mallon told BBC Radio Ulster today that there would be decommissioning. "I do not know how it will happen or the shape or form," he said. "That is something for General de Chastelain." He said that he believes it is now absolutely imperative that it happens, and happens in such a way that, rather than peel off the things that have been created, they can consolidate them and add to them if necessary.
The First Minister is set to fly to Washington early next week and is likely to meet President Bill Clinton. David Trimble warned hard-line Unionists intent on wrecking the new landscape that they would ultimately be marginalised. However, in a message to those with doubts about the future, he said that those who fear this is a slippery slope to some nasty destination would discover that it is not. He said that things are much better for everyone in a relationship where they can work together to make institutions in Northern Ireland work.
Mr Trimble said that the main problems in establishing political stability in Northern Ireland had been surmounted with the creation of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998. He added that they are on the other side of the slope and whatever difficulties there may be, he said that he thinks they can overcome them.
