>>>>>> Adams confirms countdown to IRA statement
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has confirmed that the
Provisional IRA is set to issue a statement on its future later
today.
He said: "The forthcoming IRA statement will challenge Irish
republicans and nationalists.
"I appeal to everyone to carefully read what the Army has to say
and to remain united and steadfast.
"The IRA statement will also challenge others, especially the
two governments and the Unionists.
"The Dublin political establishment in particular will have a
lot of soul-searching to do if those in political leadership are
to meet the needs of the upcoming period."
Confirmation of the move came as republicans prepared to hold
co-ordinated press conferences in Dublin, Washington, London and
Brussels.
The statement outlining the IRA's plans is expected to be
released shortly in advance of the briefings at 4pm (Irish
time).
Mr Adams will be attending the press conference in Dublin, while
Martin McGuinness will be holding the press conference in
Washington.
The Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, has said he is
confident of seeing an "enormous change" within days but would
not be drawn on details.
In a related devlopment, political hostage Sean Kelly was
granted temporary release from Maghaberry Jail last night. Mr
Kelly was released pending a review of his case.
The former IRA prisoner was originally released under licence
from Long Kesh prison under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday
Agreement. He was returned to jail without explanation last
month, provoking mass protests.
British officials confirmed the move was made on the expectation
of the forthcoming IRA statement.
Sinn Fein North Belfast representative Gerry Kelly last night
met Sean Kelly as he was released.
He said: "In my opinion Sean Kelly should never have been
arrested in the first place.
"It would be my wish that the Sentence Review Commission resolve
this situation as a matter of urgency and allow Sean and his
family to get on with their lives."
But DUP leader Ian Paisley claimed to be outraged by the
development. He flew to London to demand answers from the
British government about the release.
The DUP said the decision to release Kelly was "purely a
political decision" that would have consequences for the
political process.