Pubdate: Sun, 11 Nov 2007
Source: Sunday Independent (Ireland)
Copyright: 2007 Independent Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.independent.ie/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/434

TAOISEACH WELCOMES UFF STANDING DOWN AND PROMISE TO  ROOT OUT DRUG 
DEALERS WITHIN ITS RANKS

The Taoiseach is describing today's statement by the Ulster Defence 
Association as 'significant'.

Bertie Ahern made the comments following the organisation's 
commitment to stand down its military wing, the UFF, from midnight tonight.

He said it's important to remember the victims of atrocities over the 
years and he acknowledged the input of those working for peace 
including Martin McAleese

The Taoiseach said the statement signals a further step towards 
ending all paramilitarism in Northern Ireland.

While, the UDA has announced it is to stand down all its and put its 
guns beyond use, it would not, however, it said be decommissioning its weapons.

The organisation, the largest of the two main loyalist paramilitary 
groups in the North, also said it would be stamping out drug-dealing 
within its ranks.

Speaking at a 1,000 strong Remembrance Day rally in south Belfast, 
Colin Halliday, a spokesman for the Ulster Political Research Group, 
linked to the UDA read out a statement on its behalf.

It said the organization believed the war was over. They added that 
if loyalist rights or the union with Britain was threatened, it would 
defend itself only by non-violent means.

It would be putting all its weapons beyond use, said the statement, 
while those who had joined its ranks for crime and self gain would be 
rooted out, including drug dealers.
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