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UFF being stood down at midnight UFF being stood down at midnight
(about 1 hour later)
The Ulster Defence Association is to stand down part of its organisation, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, from midnight.The Ulster Defence Association is to stand down part of its organisation, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, from midnight.
It also said UFF weapons were being put beyond use, but stressed that this does not mean they will be decommissioned.It also said UFF weapons were being put beyond use, but stressed that this does not mean they will be decommissioned.
In a statement on Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas.In a statement on Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas.
It said anyone with information about crime should pass it to the police.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." The UDA murdered more than 400 people during the Troubles; the majority of the killings were claimed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, widely regarded as a cover name for the UDA.
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. In its statement, the UDA said: "The Ulster Defence Association believes that the war isover, and we are now in a new democratic dispensation that will lead topermanent political stability.
"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. "But we believe the political parties and thepolitical institutions are themselves still in a period of transition.
"We have been talking about it for a long time and testing the water to see if the war is over." 'Actions'
"In that context, the organisation intends to continue through a process oftransformation that will ultimately achieve a Northern Ireland based onequality, justice and inclusivity."
One of the UDA's leaders, Jackie McDonald, said: "We will work with the community to wake the sleeping giant, and work togetherto have our own voice."
Making clear its guns were not being handed over, he said: "90% of people inthe loyalist community don't want de-commissioning."
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward welcomed the announcement.
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.