The IRA has taken an historic step towards giving up its weapons in a surprise move that gave a sudden surge of hope to the Irish peace process.
General John de Chastelain, chairman of the International Commission on Decommissioning, announced that the IRA had proposed a means of putting its armscompletely and verifiably beyond use, and that the commission was satisfied the plan involved no risk to the public and would prevent dissident republicans gaining access to the stockpile.
Although the method of decommissioning has not been revealed and the timing of the arms disposal has not been specified, both the British and Irish Governments described it as a breakthrough after months of deadlock.
It has also emerged that both the British and Irish Governments had last week agreed to a request from General de Chastelain to make new regulations under the decommissioning legislation, so that it is in line with the IRA's proposals.
However, the precise significance of this is unclear since the text of the changes gives no indication of the manner of decommissioning proposed.
Crucially for the survival of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which otherwise faces being shut down this weekend, the Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble, gave a guarded welcome.
He described it as "a significant step towards decommissioning", but he and other Unionists stressed they wanted to see an actual start to decommissioning.
Although the initiative is widely seen as a breakthrough, it is not regarded as enough to meet the demands of Mr Trimble's highly sceptical party.
Lord Kilclooney, formerly John Taylor MP, a prominent figure in the UUP, said: "The statement represents progress and is encouraging. The key question is: when will it happen? Until that is resolved, political instability will continue."
The peace process faces a deadline this weekend, when the Government is legally obliged to suspend the Assembly or call fresh elections.
This choice can only be averted if Mr Trimble were to be successfully re-elected as First Minister.
This, in turn, is most unlikely unless something is delivered on the timing issue. It is unclear whether the IRA will now issue a statement clarifying any of the details on timing.
