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CNN WORLD REPORT

IRA Trains Anti-Government Guerrillas in Columbia

Aired August 19, 2001 - 14:04 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: But we begin in Northern Ireland, where the prospects for peace are dimming after the Irish Republican Army backed out of its plans to disarm. The move comes on the heels of last week's arrest of three suspected I.R.A members in Colombia. They're accused of training anti-government guerrillas there. Protestant politicians say the latest arrests and I.R.A refusal to disarm are signs the group is not giving up its campaign of violence.

ITN's Mark Webster has more from Belfast.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK WEBSTER, ITN CORRESPONDENT: Widely expected, this I.R.A statement was nonetheless a huge blow to the peace process. Blaming the Ulster Unionists and the government, the I.R.A says, "Conditions therefore do not exist for progressing our proposition. We are withdrawing our proposal." The statement continues that the earlier concession was one which "involved a very difficult decision by us and problems for our organization."

That referenced the problems over the destruction of I.R.A arms, like these already seized, and refers to the bitter divisions within the organization over disarming. Less than a week ago, the I.R.A finally outlined how it he would go about putting its huge arsenal of weaponry beyond use, but it did not say when.

The Unionists said that proved the offer was never serious.

JEFFREY DONALDSON, ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY: Well, I think the government are going to have to take a long hard look at this process. I think they're going to have to go back to the drawing board. We need a fundamental review of the agreement and we've got to find another way forward. If the I.R.A are not prepared to move on the arms issue, then we have got to move on without them.

WEBSTER: This all comes within hours of the arrest in Colombia of three men suspected of being I.R.A members accused of training local rebels in the use of arms and explosives. Police displayed what they said were false passports; two British and one Irish.

They were captured, said Gustavo Bell, the Colombian Defense Minister when they leaving the country. These were three members of the I.R.A movement carrying fake passports. This all leaves the peace process here in total disarray. Mark Webster, ITN, Belfast. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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