An immediate scale-down of British army troops in the North has been demanded by the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, who described a recent statement on the issue by the Northern Secretary as "not good enough".
Speaking less than an hour after the IRA confirmed its interlocutor had secretly met the decommissioning body, Mr Adams said yesterday that demilitarisation remained an outstanding obligation for the British government under the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Adams said there was a "huge onus on Peter Mandelson to deliver and to deliver big-time on the obligations and the commitments of his government". He added: "What we need now is action on the ground, pronto."
The Ulster Unionist party security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, warned Sinn Fein it should not "over-play" its hands with unrealistic demands or attempts to create a new sequencing process over arms with the British government. A definitive move from the republican movement on decommissioning was now necessary, he added.
On Friday, Mr Mandelson announced his intention to launch an initial review period on demilitarisation lasting until early next year, and invited submissions from the public.
He said a security strategy paper would be published shortly outlining proposals for normalisation in light of the prevailing threat.
"I'm saying that's not good enough," Mr Adams said, "I'm saying they need to move and move quickly and bring about big change on these issues as speedily as possible." He specified south Armagh as having a "disgracefully" large security presence.
Mr Maginnis said Mr Adams's comments mean Sinn Fein is trying to "re-arrange substantial agreements already made", doing exactly what it usually criticises unionists for doing.
An army spokesman said that, while not wishing to prejudge a review, a significant threat remained in south Armagh areas which "may not allow for those reductions". The level of British troops stationed in the North stands at about 15,000.
The IRA confirmed yesterday that a meeting had taken place between the IRA interlocutor and Gen. John de Chastelain's independent commission. A statement to RTE and the BBC did not reveal the identity of the go-between or location of the meeting, but said that further meetings would occur. Sinn Fein has denied that the IRA go-between is Padraig Wilson, the IRA leader in the Maze until recently, who is due to be released shortly. Prison sources said Wilson was in prison over the weekend although it is understood he received day leave on Thursday.
The UDA/UFF is considering its appointment of an interlocutor in light of the IRA move. An announcement is expected from the organisation within days, with Johnny Adair tipped to fill the role.
The North's Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, told Sky News yesterday he believed that decommissioning would oc cur and that the powers devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly on Thursday would never again return to Westminster.
"No one on this island or in Britain, in the United States or in Europe, would actually tolerate the breakdown of this process now that the institutions have been put in place," he added.
Mr Mallon said it was "crucially important" that the "cloud of decommissioning" was not allowed to damage relationships within the new administration.
The first sitting of the Assembly since the devolution of powers convenes at Parliament Buildings today to discuss procedural matters. Motions on the agenda propose the establishment of committees on European affairs and equality. Members are also expected to pass a motion increasing their salaries by £9,000.
The full text of the IRA statement issued at lunchtime yesterday:
The IRA leadership confirm that a meeting between an appointed representative and the independent international commission on decommissioning (IICD) has taken place.
In the light of our commitment of November 17th to appoint a representative to enter into discussions with General de Chaste lain and the IICD, it is anticipated that further discussions will take place.