John de Chastelain,IRA proposed method to decommissioning body
The two governments have published revised arrangements for decommissioning of weapons. This comes after today's statement by General John de Chastelain's decommissioning body. An IRA representative has proposed a method for putting guns completely and verifiably beyond use.
The new scheme makes detailed provision for weapons being rendered permanently inaccessible or unusable by those who hold them, rather than a programme of destruction of arms by the Commission itself.
A designated paramilitary contact must give notice of any arrangements for decommissioning, which must be approved by the International body.
Other provisions deal with arrangements for the moving of any weapons for the purpose of decommissioning and the location of any act of decommissioning.
The regulations were signed earlier this week by the Northern Secretary and will also be laid before the Dáil.
The decommissioning body statement says that the Arms Commission had a recent meeting with an IRA representative at which the paramilitary group proposed a method for putting its arms completely and verifiably beyond use.
The Commission says that it is satisfied this meets the Commission's remit in accordance with the two governments' scheme for saving the Good Friday Agreement.
The Commission believes the proposal initiates a process which will put IRA arms completely and verifiably beyond use. This brief statement from the Decommissioning Body could be the key which would allow the pro-Agreement parties to confirm their acceptance of the proposals released by the two governments last week on securing the peace process.
