(Editorial, Irish News)

The discovery in south Belfast of a haul of weapons linked to the Provisional IRA was a sinister development.

It will cause considerable anger among unionists, and prompt many nationalists to ask further questions about the intentions of the republican movement.

Any claims that the cache was for so-called defensive purposes can be dismissed.

It included six timer units for bombs, which obviously can only be used in an aggressive way.

The find yet again highlighted the need for a strategy which will swiftly bring the decommissioning process to its logical conclusion.

This article appeared first in the March 24, 2003 edition of the Irish News.

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