FORD CALLS ON GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE PROGRESS DESPITE IRA STATEMENT

12.00.00am GMT Thu 3rd Feb 2005

Speaking after the IRA statement withdrawing its offer to decommission its illegal weapons, Alliance Leader David Ford said:

"The IRA has made offers of progress in the past, and also withdrawn such offers. This statement further calls into question the republican commitment to moving away from violence. Next time, the bar is likely to be set higher for them.

"Since it appears that Sinn Fein is still inextricably linked to the IRA, there is no prospect of any political progress involving that party at this time.

"It is time for the two Governments to work with those parties which are committed to solely peaceful and democratic means to bring about political progress, notably getting the Assembly back to work.

"This should not be a time for lengthy complaints about republicans, but a time to send them a clear message: "When you are ready to sign up to the same conditions as everyone else, you are welcome to join us. Until then, we will have to make progress without you, and we can make that progress "."