IRA to disarm and disband

[Vanhalen 0]

Im not adding any comments, nor printing any story, here is the statement here, make your own minds up about what this can mean for the UK, USA, Europe and the "war on terror"

 

The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign.

 

This will take effect from 4pm [1600 BST] this afternoon.

 

All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.

 

All Volunteers have been instructed to assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means.

 

Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever.

 

The IRA leadership has also authorised our representative to engage with the IICD [independent International Commission on Decommissioning] to complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible.

 

  The outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA Volunteers for the Sinn Féin peace strategy

 

We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, to testify to this.

 

The Army Council took these decisions following an unprecedented internal discussion and consultation process with IRA units and Volunteers.

 

We appreciate the honest and forthright way in which the consultation process was carried out and the depth and content of the submissions.

 

We are proud of the comradely way in which this truly historic discussion was conducted. The outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA Volunteers for the Sinn Fein peace strategy.

 

There is also widespread concern about the failure of the two governments and the unionists to fully engage in the peace process.

 

This has created real difficulties. The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland fully support this process.

 

They and friends of Irish unity throughout the world want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding these difficulties our decisions have been taken to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland.

 

We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country. It is the responsibility of all Volunteers to show leadership, determination and courage.

 

We are very mindful of the sacrifices of our patriot dead, those who went to jail, Volunteers, their families and the wider republican base.

 

  The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation

 

We reiterate our view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate. We are conscious that many people suffered in the conflict.

 

There is a compelling imperative on all sides to build a just and lasting peace. The issue of the defence of nationalist and republican communities has been raised with us.

 

There is a responsibility on society to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of the pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s.

 

There is also a universal responsibility to tackle sectarianism in all its forms.

 

The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation.

 

We call for maximum unity and effort by Irish republicans everywhere. We are confident that by working together Irish republicans can achieve our objectives.

 

Every Volunteer is aware of the importance of the decisions we have taken and all Oglaigh are compelled to fully comply with these orders.

 

There is now an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the peace process.

 

This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland.

[Vanhalen 0]

And reaction from our friends across the pond

 

US politicians have hailed the IRA's pledge to end its armed campaign as a "potentially historic" moment - and it is one which has great resonance in a country where some 40 million people have Irish ancestry.

 

Mr McGuinness was applauded by some journalists in the US

 

The White House was cautiously optimistic, welcoming the statement but saying it "must now be followed by actions demonstrating the republican movement's unequivocal commitment to the rule of law".

 

President George Bush's special envoy on Northern Ireland, Mitchell Reiss, described the statement as "very positive and very encouraging".

 

He said whether it was truly historic would be determined in the coming weeks and months.

 

Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness had briefed Mr Reiss on the development on Thursday morning and was applauded by journalists as he gave his reaction to the move at a news conference on Capitol Hill.

 

Surrounded by US lawmakers Mr McGuinness paid tribute to the "remarkable part" they had played in the ongoing peace process.

 

His reception was far warmer than when Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams came to Washington in March.

 

'Politics not guns'

 

Then the leading Irish American politician Senator Ted Kennedy refused to meet him and said the IRA had become an albatross around the neck of the party.

 

KEY POINTS OF STATEMENT

All IRA units ordered to dump arms

Members ordered to pursue objectives through "exclusively peaceful means"

Arms to be put beyond use as quickly as possible

Two church witnesses to verify this

Statement followed "honest and forthright" consultation process

Strong support among IRA members for Sinn Fein's peace strategy

There is now an alternative way to achieve goal of united Ireland

"Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever"

 

That was seen as part of a stepping up of pressure on the republican movement from the US, and in the wake of Thursday's announcement some said it had even greater significance.

 

Republican congressman Peter King - a Sinn Fein supporter - branded the breakthrough "a truly defining moment in Irish history".

 

But he added: "I think the pressure from the US actually helped Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness convince elements in the IRA that this had to be done."

 

Senator Kennedy, meanwhile, said he looked forward to the final act of decommissioning.

 

"Hopefully this statement means we are finally nearing the end of this very long process to take guns and criminality out of politics in Northern Ireland once and for all," he told the US Senate.

 

Bars of New York

 

Ordinary Irish Americans were likely to be reacting with much the same cautious optimism as their political leaders, observers said.

 

Patricia Harty, editor-in-chief of Irish America magazine, told the BBC: "Every Irish American will be excited by the development, it is a great move and let's be honest it has been a long time coming.

 

"But I think most people will be waiting to see the reaction from the other major party - the Irish bars of New York are not going to be filled with people drinking pints of Guinness in celebration just yet."

 

Meanwhile, other Irish groups in America urged US politicians to stay engaged with the peace process.

 

The Irish American Unity Conference - whose mission is "a peaceful reunification of Ireland" - called for a swift return to power-sharing government.

 

"We encourage the US government to resume a leadership role in the peace process," said IAUC president Retired Judge Andrew Somers.

 

"Based on the IRA's long-term cease-fire and its recent statement, we believe that the US should encourage Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party to work within the context of the Northern Irish Assembly."

 

Republicans had been under intense pressure to end IRA activity after the £26.5m Northern Bank raid in December and the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney in January.

 

Political talks last year failed to restore devolution, which stalled amid claims of IRA intelligence gathering at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, in 2002.

[Guest Biggles]

As long as this doesn't spawn some more even more violent and evil groups and they proceed with dissarmermnet as soon as possible and not just delay for ages so they can flog guns to any scum bag in Ireland then this is indeed great news

[Boon 0]

Damnit. I was hoping my trip to Ireland would be exciting.

[SuperJerk 0]

Let this thread serve as a reminder that not all terrorists are Muslim.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Some are CATHOLIC too! (alerts BLOGGERS~ about impending plan to invade Italy)

 

I guess this is another of those old world things tottering to an end in the face of a unifying threat. You have to wonder how much pressure was put on the IRA in negotiations we'll never hear about.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

I'm not buyin' it. They'll always have a secret sect lined up somewhere in wait.