The review of the Good Friday agreement was based on three fundamental principles agreed on June 25th, 1999. The three principles are as follows:
An inclusive executive exercising devolved powers;
Decommissioning of all paramilitary arms by May 2000;
Decommissioning to be carried out in a manner determined by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning.
On July 1st, 1999, the Progressive Unionist Party stated the following responses:
The Progressive Unionist Party recognises the fundamental necessity for the creation of a wholly inclusive executive. The proper functioning of the structures envisaged in the GFA, we believe, offer the genuine opportunity to address the ills faced by our divided society.
We believe the removal of illegal war materials from our society is an honourable objective. The Progressive Unionist party does not see decommissioning as a precondition to access to the structures envisaged in the GFA, whilst we recognise that it is an issue that must be dealt with.
We commit ourselves to dealing with the issue as set out in the terms of the agreement. We reaffirm our confidence in the IICD and wholly recognise that they are best suited to deal with this issue.
We accept that all matters regarding decommissioning including modalities, schemes, verification etc should be the sole remit of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and as such we will work in conjunction with them to achieve this most honourable objective.
The Progressive Unionist Party welcomes the interim report by Senator George Mitchell, outlining progress made in the review of the Good Friday agreement. We find heartening, Mr Mitchell's assertion that the parties ". . . now understand each others' concerns and requirements far better than before, and are committed to resolving the current impasse".
It has always been our party's view that devolution should occur and the institutions envisaged within the Good Friday agreement should be implemented regardless of the decommissioning issue.
We believe that the process of decommissioning should be the sole remit of the Independent Commission on Decommissioning, and as such should be completely removed from the political equation.
The removal of illegal war materials is an integral part of the conflict transformation process currently taking place in Northern Ireland.
We welcome the proposals outlined by the International Commission and believe that ". . . appointing authorised representatives" would be a positive step in this direction.
The Progressive Unionist Party wholeheartedly believes that the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement, as negotiated on the April 10th, 1998, and supported by referendum on May 22nd, 1998, is our best option for achieving a non-sectarian, pluralist and equitable society for Northern Ireland.