TAOISEACH WELCOMES UFF STANDING DOWN AND PROMISE TO ROOT OUT DRUG
DEALERS WITHIN ITS RANKS

The Taoiseach is describing today's statement by the Ulster Defence
Association as 'significant'.

Bertie Ahern made the comments following the organisation's
commitment to stand down its military wing, the UFF, from midnight tonight.

He said it's important to remember the victims of atrocities over the
years and he acknowledged the input of those working for peace
including Martin McAleese

The Taoiseach said the statement signals a further step towards
ending all paramilitarism in Northern Ireland.

While, the UDA has announced it is to stand down all its and put its
guns beyond use, it would not, however, it said be decommissioning its weapons.

The organisation, the largest of the two main loyalist paramilitary
groups in the North, also said it would be stamping out drug-dealing
within its ranks.

Speaking at a 1,000 strong Remembrance Day rally in south Belfast,
Colin Halliday, a spokesman for the Ulster Political Research Group,
linked to the UDA read out a statement on its behalf.

It said the organization believed the war was over. They added that
if loyalist rights or the union with Britain was threatened, it would
defend itself only by non-violent means.

It would be putting all its weapons beyond use, said the statement,
while those who had joined its ranks for crime and self gain would be
rooted out, including drug dealers.