20 February 2003

UDA bomb move 'not an act of decommissioning'

Police last night discovered 18 pipe bombs on playing fields at Somerdale Park in the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast.

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) claimed it left the devices in the playing fields "as part of the ongoing steps to stabilise and normalise loyalist west Belfast".

In a statement, the UDA claimed it wanted the devices put beyond use to help restore normality following a recent feud within the organisation. However, loyalists claim the move was not an act of decommissioning despite a claim from Ulster Unionist MLA Chris McGimpsey that it was.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy welcomed the move but called on both loyalist and republican paramilitaries to "re-engage with the Independent International Commission for Decommissioning to ensure that all weapons and explosives can be safely taken out of circulation".

However, while the gesture was welcomed by community representatives from across loyalist west Belfast, the SDLP's north Belfast MLA Alban Maginnis said the UDA had to make more than a token gesture.

He added: "I hope that this isn't another stunt by the UDA simply to rehabilitate themselves after some very bad publicity over the past number of months."

However, to many nationalist representatives the move is seen as a gesture to improve its image following the recent loyalist feud which saw four people dead after the expulsion of C Company leader Johnny Adair from the organisation's ranks.

This latest episode appeared to end when Adair's wife Gina, associate John White and a number of C Company members were forced to flee Northern Ireland because of safety fears.

(MB)