IRA report 'paves way' for N Ireland deal

The British and Irish governments have welcomed a report the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has eschewed terrorism, saying it paves the way for a final political settlement in Northern Ireland.

The reaction puts pressure on the British province's largest Protestant party, the Democratic Unionists (DUP), to drop its opposition to sharing power with the Catholic IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein.

Britain and its fellow peace broker, Ireland, have given all rival parties until November 24 to form a joint executive for the legislative assembly in Belfast or risk it being dissolved indefinitely a week after the deadline.

In Dublin, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has hailed the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report as "clear-cut" proof the IRA is following through on its pledge last year to abandon violence in favour of a political solution.

The watchdog says the IRA is now renouncing terrorism and other forms of crime in favour of a political deal.

Its report adds there is evidence the group has disbanded military structures, stood down volunteers and stopped allowances.

"These positive and clear-cut findings are of the utmost importance and significance," Mr Ahern said in a statement.

"They are evidence that the security landscape in Northern Ireland has been radically altered.

"It is now clearly apparent that the IRA has neither the intent nor the interest in restarting its paramilitary campaign."

Wary response

DUP leader Ian Paisley has issued a cautious response.

It has refused to deal with Sinn Fein, saying it is not convinced the IRA has given up its weapons and criminality.

"We will be meeting with the IMC at the earliest opportunity to discuss issues surrounding IRA criminality and whether the progress that has been made is permanent and irreversible," Mr Paisley said.

"Sinn Fein/IRA does not support policing and the rule of law. "

Sinn Fein law maker Conor Murphy says the DUP is on the defensive.

"The DUP are desperately scrambling to find a way out of this," he said.

"There are no excuses not to engage with other parties on the basis of their mandate."

Multi-party talks are scheduled for October 11 to 13 in Scotland.

Britain reimposed direct rule over Northern Ireland more than three years ago after dissolving a power-sharing executive and assembly in the wake of allegations of IRA espionage.

- AFP