The leader of Northern Ireland's leading Protestant party is warning that the peace process in the British province is at risk unless the Irish Republican Army takes immediate steps toward disarming.
Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley said he is amazed that with only days ahead of the British and Irish government deadline for agreement, the Catholic IRA has not contacted monitors who are to oversee the group's disarmament. He spoke after talks in Belfast with the monitors.
Mr. Paisley said any progress on restoring Northern Ireland's power-sharing government requires proof of IRA action instead of continued deception.
Meanwhile, Jerry Adams, the leader of the IRA's political arm, Sinn Fein, expressed doubt whether Mr. Paisley is ready for agreement.
Britain suspended Northern Ireland's power sharing government in 2002 amid charges of IRA spying on provincial officials.
Some information provided by AP and AFP.
