">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Loyalist paramilitaries give up arms in N.Ireland
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Loyalist paramilitaries give up arms in N.Ireland
AFP - Sunday, June 28
BELFAST (AFP) - - The main loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland announced Saturday they were decommissioning their weapons, a new milestone on the road to peace after decades of unrest.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Red Hand Commandos (RHC) have reportedly killed around 1,000 people between them during several decades of unrest known as the Troubles.
"The dark days are now behind us and it is time to move on," the UDA said in a statement. "There is no place for guns and violence in the new society we are building. It is time to work for a better future."
The move was welcomed by political leaders in Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland. Britain's Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said it was a "historic day".
Loyalists are Northern Ireland Protestants who want the province to remain part of Britain and are historic foes of Catholic republicans, who believe it should become part of the Republic of Ireland.
A 1998 peace accord ended most of the violence which had plagued Northern Ireland for three decades, killing at least 3,500 people.
Devolved self-rule is now in place in the British province after a landmark accord in 2007 between the Protestant Democratic Unionists (DUP) and Catholic Sinn Fein.
As part of moves overseen by an official commission, the UVF and RHC said they had destroyed their entire arsenals, while the UDA has got rid of some of its arms and has started the process of total decommissioning.
Britain's Woodward had given loyalist groups an ultimatum, saying they must show "meaningful progress" on decommissioning by August.
The Irish Republican Army (IRA), the main republican paramilitary group, finished destroying its arsenal four years ago, overseen by the commission.
Loyalist groups began disarming last year but the process was suspended after two British soldiers and a policeman in Northern Ireland were shot dead by dissident republicans in March.
The process restarted after reassurances from the British and Irish governments that those responsible for the attacks "would be vigorously pursued", the UVF and RHC said.
Four men have been charged following the two separate attacks.
Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson, of the DUP, welcomed Saturday's announcement, saying: "By decommissioning their weapons, they not only demonstrate their commitment to building a peaceful future in Northern Ireland but also their confidence in the political situation and the security of the union (of Britain)".
Woodward said it was a "historic day for people in Northern Ireland," adding: "The leadership of the UVF and RHC have today taken a bold and courageous decision for peace.
"For those who have doubted the political process it is proof that the politics works, and that guns have no place in a normal society."
The loyalists' announcement was also hailed by Ireland.
President Mary McAleese said: "This is a very important step in building and consolidating peace in Northern Ireland and signals a turning away from a culture of conflict towards a culture of good neighbourliness, within Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Obama's Marines in position for Afghan offensiveAFP - Saturday, June 27
White House denies indefinite detention orderAFP - Saturday, June 27
Controller: IOUs signal Calif fiscal mismanagementAP - Saturday, June 27
Regulators shut 4 banks; 44 failures this yearAP - Saturday, June 27
Tainted SC governor tries to get back to businessAP - Saturday, June 27
Enlarge Photo
A young family walk past a mural for the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) on Belfast's Shankhill Road in 2005. The main loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland have announced that they are decommissioning their weapons, a new milestone in the journey to peace after decades of unrest.
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Saturn moon may harbour life-giving ocean: study
Jackson feared dying like Elvis: Lisa Marie Presley
Pop icon Michael Jackson dead: TMZ.com website
Egyptian tycoon to hang for Lebanese diva murder
Oil prices hit reverse as Wall Street slips
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Sunday, 28 June 2009 Porsche rejects VW 'ultimatum' for merger plan
Spy games play out at Russian consulate in San Francisco
Iraqi premier: ready to take over security from US
Loyalist paramilitaries give up arms in N.Ireland
Hariri named Lebanon PM
Glastonbury pays tribute to Michael Jackson
Afghan unrest kills 11: officials
Sabbath parking fuels Jerusalem religious tensions
| International
|
Israel deflects calls for settlement freeze
Turkey passes law limiting military courts
Saad Hariri named Lebanese prime minister
UN envoy ends two-day visit to Myanmar
Immigrant law loopholes threaten SF mayor's bid
Taliban claim responsibility for Kashmir attack
Calif. narcotics team at risk in budget crisis
Thailand reports first 2 swine flu-related deaths
Hazardous freight moved by rail
Don't leave me 'dying in desert' Thaksin tells Thai rally
NKorea threatens to shoot down Japanese spy planes
Former law student gets life in PlayStation murder
Supporters of former prime minister rally in Bangkok
Ill. derailment revives hazardous cargo debate
Did toxic chemical in Iraq cause GIs' illnesses?
Cambodia PM meets Thai minister on border dispute
White House Weighs Options Over Executive Order On Long-Term Detention
Vermont to California, new laws take effect July 1
New laws prod police, protect kids, push tax cuts
Replica of ancient Philippine boat to sail SE Asia
U.S. Swine Flu Cases Reach 1 Million As 127 People Die
Filipino inmates in `Thriller' video stage tribute
No dropouts from this Camden, NJ, high school
Where's your governor? A state-by-state glance
Cambodia and Thailand meet as temple tensions simmer
Jackson also left legacy as cultural phenomenon
Jackson family anger mounts, may seek fresh autopsy
Chou, Chan sweep top prizes at Chinese Grammys
Networks continue Michael Jackson tributes
Vigil planned for Michael Jackson at Motown studio
Jackson surging to top of British album charts
Pop king Jackson was content to remain fan of film
Ukraine president's party wants to leave coalition
Iran's opposition leader rejects partial recount
Michael Jackson tops charts, memorabilia sales surge
UNESCO adds more European sites to heritage list
South Korea getting U.S. missiles to boost defences: report
| International
|
'Hacktivists' take up Iran fight as streets quiet
US, Russia in dispute over computer attacks: report
Hundreds protest in France to defend illegal immigrants
Mid-term elections seen weakening Argentine leader
| International
|
GM, US near agreement on legal claims: report
Iran deadlock drags on as Mousavi rejects part recount
NATO, Russia resume cooperation but divided over Georgia
Times Co. seeking to sell second paper with Globe
Financial system 'not out of woods yet': global regulator
Police question Australian opposition leader over email
| International
|
NATO-Russia Council 'up and running' again: Scheffer
Mousavi rejects partial Iran vote recount
Pakistani jets hit militant compounds in Waziristan
| International
|
Northern Ireland's paramilitaries dump arsenal
| International
|
Obama pushes Senate to act on climate measure
S. Korea getting U.S. missiles to boost defences
Paralyzed Vt. GI gets star-spangled welcome home
SKorean president lands in Tokyo for day of talks
Journalists caught up in Nepal's power struggle
Japan, SKorea summit to focus on NKorea
Spokeswoman: Jackson cardiologist not a suspect
12 China officials jailed for deadly landslide
Chavez to US general: You're the threat, not us
Malaysia, Indonesia spat on maid dispute
South Korea's swine flu tally nears 200
Chinese tennis players will never give up, says Li
Police: NYC day care was drug haven
Jackson family statement on death of pop star
I'm still good enough, says Aussie tennis #1 Hewitt
Eason Chan, Jay Chou win Mandarin pop music awards
Ky. pastor welcomes guns, their owners to church
NFL asks for court ruling on merchandise case
Under-bite helps Pabst become World's Ugliest Dog
Chief Justice: High court not setting school rules
RPT-N.Korea 2008 GDP growth hits 3-yr high on weather, aid
China's ships idle but Shanghai port charges ahead
Queues build for India's popular Nano car
Indonesia's traffic nightmare goes from bad to worse
Eurozone rates on hold: analysts
Court fight over Jackson's children looms
FACTBOX-Huge divide between rival Koreas
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Doctor queried in Michael Jackson death, 2nd autopsy held
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea household not to raise spending in H2 -survey
Michael Jackson set to make chart history, again
Doctor queried in Michael Jackson death, 2nd autopsy held
Michael Jackson set to make chart history, again
| Entertainment
|
Prescription drugs in spotlight after Jackson death
Transformers sequel tramples on box office
| Entertainment
|
Private funeral plans announced for Farrah Fawcett
"Transformers" sequel tramples on box office
Entertainers ready Jackson tributes for BET Awards
Questions swirl around doctor in Jackson's death
Iran sparks new row with Britain over election
| International
|
Life after U.S. pullout brings worries for Iraqis
Jaguar, Land Rover enter Indian market
Troops detain Honduras president: government
| International
|
Life after U.S. pullout brings worries for Iraqis
| International
|
Israel's Barak denies Gaza captive deal
Barak open on Israel settlement freeze before U.S. trip
| International
|
Iraq lessons learned, U.S. Marines turn to Afghanistan
| International
|
Mid-term elections seen weakening Argentine leader
| International
|
West skeptical on Russian security plan for Europe
| International
|
Albania votes, rivals trade accusations of cheating
| International
|
Winegrowers see a future in green
Insurgents in restive southern Thailand kill 1
Al-Qaida-linked gunmen kill 7 Filipino police
Israel to offer three-month settlement freeze: report
Pakistan offers reward for Taliban chief
N.Korea vows to bolster nuclear deterrence against US
Pakistani forces kill 11 Taliban militants
GM to take on future product liability claims
3 killed in pizzeria shooting outside Los Angeles
Bangladeshi protesters clash with police; 1 killed
Obama pushes Senate to act on climate measure
S Korea, Japan say N Korea should return to talks
India confirms 9 new cases of swine flu
India to review laws banning homosexuality: report
50,000 bangladesh garment workers in wage protest
NKorea economy grows but remains in doldrums
Optimism grows among Japanese executives
SKorean bank: NKorea's economy grows in 2008
Trouble brewing for Sri Lanka tea farmers
Top designers try a revamp of Islamic abaya
Spokeswoman: doctor not suspect in Jackson death
Fashion pioneer Vionnet's work on show for 1st time
A new high tech edge to Poland's Jewish heritage
Jewish cantors to perform in Warsaw opera house
| Entertainment
|
Cinema returns to war-weary West Bank town
Winegrowers see a future in green
China Limits Access To Online Medical Info, Research On Sexual Subjects
Michael Jackson's Death Overwhelms Internet
Rumors Of Jeff Goldblum's Death "Completely Untrue"
Paris Hilton Hired Team Of Experts To Avoid Getting Arrested In Dubai For Wearing Revealing Outfits
Zac Efron And Breckin Meyer Spoof Perez Hilton's Video Tirade
Drew Barrymore Hounded By Squirrels At LA Home
Former British PM Tony Blair Promised Queen Elizabeth He Would Not Watch "The Queen" Movie
Johnny Depp Doesn't Think He's A Celebrity
Stone Age Flute Discovered In Germany Is Oldest Instrument Found
Utility Crew Digs Up Human Remains Near Cemeteries
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights