Empey to discuss imminent IRA statement with Blair

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey is to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair for the first time since becoming party chief.

Sir Reg is leading a six-strong UUP delegation to the Downing Street talks, called at the request of Mr Blair, to discuss the impasse in the political process, parades and an expected statement from the IRA.

Sir Reg said people wanted to what see action the IRA would take with hints that a statement could emerge soon.

In an interview for BBC Radio Ulster hae asked: "Do they give up all their weapons, do they stop criminal activity, do they disband or stand down their army?”

"Those will be the things that people will be looking at,” he said.

Secretary of State Peter Hain, meanwhile, has said that the expected IRA statement must make it “crystal clear” that the only future for republicanism is peaceful and democratic.

“I don’t know when the IRA statement will be but what is important whenever it comes is that it is a credible statement,” he said.

“It must make it crystal clear that the only future for republicanism and indeed for the IRA is a peaceful and democratic future.”

(MB/SP)