UDA 'ceasefire' pledge

THE Ulster Defence Association’s so-called ceasefire will continue indefinitely, the organisation pledged yesterday.

Even though Northern Ireland’s biggest loyalist paramilitary group has been blamed for at least two murders last year and involvement in multi-million-pound rackets and drug dealing, the leadership insisted it was committed to peace.

A statement confirming an extension of its truce followed meetings between its political representatives and the Republic’s Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, the Northern Ireland Secretary, Paul Murphy, and the Irish president, Mary McAleese.

Mr Ahern described the declaration as an important commitment to reaching a political settlement in the province.

But he warned: "If the aspirations of the statement are to be realised, the future actions of the wider organisation must match the words that its leadership has spoken about."

The announcement came on the anniversary of a 12-month halt to all UDA operations following a bloody feud.

Meanwhile, an independent commission to monitor paramilitary ceasefires was yesterday urged to report a month earlier than planned because of concerns over IRA activity.