IRA disputes claim by Blair and Ahern of arms 'ambiguity'

The IRA was preparing for a third act of decommissioning and had indicated that its weapons could be "definitively set aside" when talks with the British and Irish governments broke down, it revealed last night.

The organisation published its confidential memorandum to London and Dublin, which was handed to the two Governments last month, and issued a fresh statement insisting there was "no lack of clarity" about its intentions, despite Tony Blair's demand for clear assurances that paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland will end.

The statement, issued hours after Mr Blair and Mr Ahern held talks on the peace process, said the IRA was publishing last month's memorandum "so that people can judge for themselves the significance of our proposed initiatives to advance the peace process". It accused Mr Blair of a "clear breach of protocol" over his public appeal for answers to a series of questions about the end of paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland. It said: "This and subsequent word games have caused justifiable anger and annoyance."

The memorandum, which was sent to Westminster and Dublin on 13 April, said the IRA was "resolved the see the complete and final closure of this conflict. The IRA leadership is determined to ensure that our activities, disciplines and strategies will be consistent with this."

It said: "The full and irreversible implementation of the Agreement and other commitments will provide a context in which the IRA can proceed to definitively set aside arms to further our political objectives."

The document said the IRA had been in discussions with General John de Chastelain's international decommissioning body, and said arrangements to put beyond use a third quantity of weapons and explosives had been at an advanced stage when talks with the British and Irish governments broke down last week.

In a statement to MPs Paul Murphy, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said the IRA's April statement had "represented some progress". But he said:"Does it mean the definitive end to all the paramilitary activity referred to in the joint declaration? The view of both Governments is that it does not. It is not a clear and unambiguous statement. Without that clarity there can be no trust." He said elections would be held "as soon as it is clear that the necessary trust between the parties is re-established", probably in the autumn. A Bill postponing the poll will be published later this week and debated next week.

Earlier Mr Blair announced a new round of "intensive dialogue and discussion" with the province's parties under the chairmanship of Mr Murphy and Brian Cowen, the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister. However, the two leaders were unable to announce a revised date for the elections.

Mr Blair made clear that further movement from armed groups was needed to help build confidence in the province's political institutions. He said: "There can't be any ambiguity about it ­ there has to be a complete end to paramilitary activity." The Prime Minister said the Government wanted complete "normalisation" of life within two years, but that was dependent on commitments on paramilitary activity, and said there was no chance of renegotiating the Good Friday Agreement.

Describing the talks as constructive, Mr Ahern said the postponement of the assembly elections had been a "temporary setback to our efforts". He also stepped up the pressure on republicans, saying clarity from the IRA was essential.

The talks in Dublin were the first meeting between the Prime Ministers since the elections were suspended last week. Mr Ahern complained at the time that the move created more problems than it solved.