The Independent International Cmmission on Decommissioning headed by Gen John de Chastelain was asked by the British and Irish governments to compile a report no later than June 29th. Before completing the report, the commission has asked the parties for replies to specific questions no later than noon last Monday.
Questions to which the commission sought answers:
1. Does your party agree that decommissioning of all paramilitary arms should take place by 22 May 2000 as set forth in the Good Friday agreement and in the context of the implementation of the overall agreement?
2. Are there any areas of implementation of the overall agreement which would demonstrably facilitate the decommissioning process?
3. The commission is aware of a number of public statements by paramilitary groups since 10 April 1998 regarding decommissioning. Can your party assist the commission in determining the willingness of paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons by 22 May 2000? If so:
a. Is the paramilitary group willing to give the commission a firm basis for expecting that decommissioning will take place within the timescale set forth in the Good Friday agreement?
b. While we believe we have general agreement on schemes to be used for decommissioning, when can we expect to receive - or else conduct negotiations to define - confirmation of the practical modalities (e.g. types of weapons and in what order, location of decommissioning events, general time parameters)?