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UDA to make statement on future UFF being stood down at midnight
(about 3 hours later)
The Ulster Defence Association is expected to make a major announcement about its future later. The Ulster Defence Association is to stand down part of its organisation, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, from midnight.
It is understood the organisation may announce that it is to stand down some of its units and call for an end to all criminal activity. It also said UFF weapons were being put beyond use, but stressed that this does not mean they will be decommissioned.
However, it is not expected to give any commitment on decommissioning. In a statement on Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas.
Frankie Gallagher, of the Ulster Political Research Group, which gives political advice to the UDA, said talks had been going on for some time. It said anyone with information about crime should pass it to the police.
The statement said: "The Ulster Defence Association is committed to achievinga society where violence and weaponry are ghosts of the past."
Earlier, Frankie Gallagher, of the Ulster Political Research Group, which gives political advice to the UDA, said talks had been going on for some time.
"They are looking for a way forward, in terms of dealing with crime and criminality in a big way and drug dealers, in particular, who are destroying our communities," he said."They are looking for a way forward, in terms of dealing with crime and criminality in a big way and drug dealers, in particular, who are destroying our communities," he said.
"We have been talking about it for a long time and testing the water to see if the war is over. The UPRG would say it is, but we have to wait and see what the organisation thinks." "We have been talking about it for a long time and testing the water to see if the war is over."
On Saturday, the DUP's Ian Paisley Junior said the UDA should be judged on its actions and not on its words. On Saturday, the DUP's Ian Paisley junior said the UDA should be judged on its actions and not on its words.
Mr Paisely said unionists would analyse carefully any move from the UDA.
"Ordinary loyalist communities don't want pariahs on their back," he said.
"They want to see the actions, the gangsterism, all going away.
"So, let's look at the actions and if we are now seeing movement in the right direction, I, of course, will not be churlish.".