The Irish and British Governments were tonight considering their next move in the peace process after receiving a statement from the IRA on its future.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman confirmed both governments had received a statement which also covered the IRA's views on a third act of disarmament. Earlier the IRA announced it had "closed on a statement," reaffirming its "commitment to this process" and "desire to see it succeed".
The IRA said the statement dealt with four main issues: "The current disposition of Oglaigh na hEireann (the Irish Republican Army) and the status of our cessation.
"Our future intentions. Our attitude to a re-engagement with the IICD (the Independent InternationalCommission on Decommissioning) and engagement in a process of putting armsbeyond use.
"A third act of putting arms beyond use to be verified under the agreed scheme." Following Prime Minister Tony Blair the Taoiseach's Mr Ahern's dramatic decision on Thursday to withhold their blueprint for restoring devolution, the IRA has been under pressure to announce a more open act of disarmament and plans to wind down its paramilitary activities.
The IRA said tonight: "We shared concepts and draft elements on these matters with others and now, following an internal consultation, we have closed on a statement which will be passed onto the two Governments.
"We stand ready to issue it in due course." Mr Blair and Mr Ahern had hoped to travel to Hillsborough Castle last Thursday to announce their proposals which cover the scaling down of the Army presence inNorthern Ireland, the stability of the institutions, policing, justice, equality, human rights and a scheme to enable IRA fugitives who fled Northern Ireland to return home.
However, when the two leaders decided not to travel, the IRA was accused of drafting a statement which fell well below unionist expectations. An IRA source tonight responded angrily to that allegation, accusing Irish and British Government sources of "leaks and spin".
The way the accusation had been regurgitated in public "without question as fact" had caused considerable anger and annoyance among republicans, he said.
The source said the IRA drafted its statement following a request from Sinn Fein's Mr Gerry Adams and Mr Martin McGuinness. Belfast's Sinn Fein Lord Mayor Alex Maskey welcomed the IRA statement, claiming it was an "important development".
The West Belfast Assembly member confirmed Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness had"acted as a conduit for the two governments with the IRA". He added: "The onus is now on the two governments to publish their joint declaration.
"Sinn Fein would like to see all statements issued." The Northern Ireland Office spokesman said it was unlikely the governments would respond to the IRA statement until tomorrow.
PA