US envoy calls on paramilitaries to disband

US President George W

US President George W. Bush's special adviser on Northern Ireland, has called on the IRA and other terrorist groups to abandon the path of violence.

Mr Richard Haas said recent "potential preparations for violence" raised all sorts of questions.

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There simply can't be any tolerance for this kind of behaviour
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Mr Richard Haas

"There simply can't be any tolerance for this kind of behaviour and the IRA and paramilitaries across the board need to complete the transition and essentially need to go out of business".

Last night, Mr Bush voiced his support for the decision by the British government to suspend the devolved administration in Stormont in a bid to save the Belfast Agreement.

Mr Bush said he welcomed a commitment the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair to seek restored confidence among the parties, to hold elections and reinstate a power-sharing government as soon as possible.

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