The Loyalist Volunteer Force has said that it is to hand over more weapons for decommissioning in the near future. Unionist and Nationalist politicians have given the statement a cautious welcome. Last December, the LVF handed over a number of guns that were cut up in a workshop beside the decommissioning body's offices in Dundonald. In a statement, the Loyalist paramilitary group claimed the next handover would take place at a time and place in the near future. It said that General de Chastelain would be made aware of the details 24 hours in advance.
The LVF, which was set up after a split within the Ulster Volunteer Force, also called on the IRA to respond by giving up 10 times as many weapons. It said that, if there was really a peace process and if the democratic will of the people was to be fulfilled, then there was no place in this new society for the weapons of war.
It said that the decision for a second handover had been taken by its leadership after a number of meetings with Mark Fulton, who is serving a sentence at Maghaberry jail for arms offences. Mr Fulton, from Portadown, was once a close associate of the murdered LVF leader Billy Wright. The LVF statement called on the Northern Secretary to have him moved to the group's wing at the Maze Prison.
There has been a mixed response to the statement. It also demanded a reciprocal gesture from the IRA. Mo Mowlam described it as a positive step and said the British government wanted to see the complete decommissioning of all paramilitary weapons. Gary McMichael of the UDP, which has links to the UDA, also welcomed the statement.
However, the PUP's Billy Hutchinson doubted whether it would have any effect on the Loyalist paramilitary groups linked to his party, the UVF and Red Hand Commando. Bríd Rodgers of the SDLP expressed scepticism about the real purpose of the statement. She said that, while all decommissioning had to be welcomed, the LVF had failed to repudiate or call for an end to recent pipe bomb attacks against Catholics.
