UVF chooses observers to verify its arms decommissioning

[mothball]

"A Dublin-born trade unionist and an east Belfast Methodist minister are to be asked to oversee the decommissioning of the Ulster Volunteer Force's terrorism arsenal.

The Observer has learnt that Irish peace activist Chris Hudson, formerly of the Communication Workers Union, and the Rev Gary Mason are the UVF's preferred "independent observers" when the group disarms later this summer."

UTV News - UVF chooses observers to verify its arms decommissioning
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After all these years, loyalists might finally hand back all the weapons the British gave them.

[femmefatale]

Loyalist decommissioning? Why? How come the British Army don't just redeploy their armaments elsewhere? I'm sure they'd welcome the extra ammunition in Afghanistan.

[5intheface]

Their initial suggestions were rejected by Decommissioning Body.

[odie1kanobe]

Ernie and Bert were otherwise engaged on Seasame Street

[mothball]

They want the weapons disposed off in the same manner the provies weapons were destroyed.
So keep you eyes peeled for a convoy of cement trucks.

[Mr Crowley]

Loyalist decommissioning is an irrelevance as the Brits will simply issue them with new weapons should the Republican community awake from shinner illusion.

[johnfás]

Gary Mason is a very good bloke.

[Gabha Óir]

Gary Mason is a very good bloke.

Quare boxer

[mothball]

“The organisation is edging towards decommissioning before the British government's August deadline. The government has warned that if loyalist paramilitaries do not disarm by then they will send the PSNI to raid UVF and UDA arms dumps across Northern Ireland.”

That’s my favourite part of the story. Actually, wait a second; this is.

”One government source said: "Both organisations know that if they don't comply by the August deadline, then it will be open season for the police to go looking for their guns."

The PSNI are meant to be an acceptable police force yet they have continued to allow loyalists to hold onto their weapons and engage in murder and other forms of criminality.

[ArtyQueing]

It is a sign of how the British view the loyalists that they were nevver serious about taking back the weapons they supplied them with, but at the end of the day you have to be thankful for small mercies and indeed this is somegthing to be thankful for. But as you say if the British need them they will arm them again.