IRA Statement In Bid To Break Logjam
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Sunday April 13, 2003 21:15
by Cllr Eoin O'Broin - Sinn Fein
eoinobroin at hotmail dot com
Ball now in two governments' court
The following is the text of a BBC web site report on tonights dramatic IRA statement
The IRA says it wants to see the peace process succeedThe IRA has given the British and Irish Governments a statement outlining its position on the peace process and its ceasefire.
The IRA confirmed it had "closed on a statement" which also dealt with its approach to a third act of arms decommissioning.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern had been due to make a joint declaration on the peace process last Thursday.
It was postponed, apparently because an IRA statement in reaction was not strong or clear enough.
On Sunday the IRA reaffirmed its "commitment to this process" and "desire to see it succeed", saying the statement focused on four main issues:
* The current disposition of Oglaigh na hEireann (the Irish Republican Army) and the status of its cessation.
* Its future intentions.
* Its attitude to a re-engagement with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning
* Engagement in a process of putting arms beyond use.
Both governments have received the document, but it is understood they will take a little bit of time to consider it.
BBC correspondent Denis Murray said they will want to assess the IRA position before deciding if they can now publish the joint declaration.
The IRA statement comes after approaches from Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness.
Important
A Downing Street spokesman said of the statement: "We are studying it and will respond in due course."
Belfast's Sinn Fein Lord Mayor Alex Maskey welcomed the IRA statement, claiming it was an "important development".
The West Belfast Assembly member confirmed Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness had "acted as a conduit for the two governments with the IRA".
He added: "The onus is now on the two governments to publish their joint declaration.
"Sinn Fein would like to see all statements issued."
Comments (4 of 4)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4surely the issue should be the beginning of loyalist decommissioning, an end to their war on the entire Catholic community. The UDA , UVF, RHC, Ulster Resistance- Paisleys private army are not intending to decommission - any further moves by the IRA will be thrown back by the Unionists who will continue to stop at nothing to exclude Sinn Fein from participating in Government.Joint authority would surely be better than a return to Stormont . How can unionists realistically expect the IRA to decommission all their weapons while leaving the loyalist paramilitaries armed to the teeth
"How can unionists realistically expect the IRA to decommission all their weapons while leaving the loyalist paramilitaries armed to the teeth?"
They'll find a way.
I just found this amazing piece from John Throne who was thrown out of the SP, its at the start of a long open letter. After that I might just read it all!
"I am very worried about what I see as a drift toward seeing the Protestants as the ,"bunkered minority" as the document puts it and basing the position on the defense of the Protestant ,"minority" as they soon will be. The emphasis on the insecurity of the Protestants. The use of expressions in relation to the Protestant paramilitaries sectarian killings as ,"their sectarian counter terror campaign.". The Protestant paramilitaries were involved in a counter terror campaign? This shows a serious loss of grasp on reality. I am extremely worried by the attempt to claim that the Northern state is not longer sectarian." John Throne
The People have Spoken - It's time to move on with the peace process
by Dr John Barry - Green Party Northern Ireland Sun, Apr 13 2003, 10:09pm
address: Belfast phone: 07775633891 j.barry@Queens-Belfast.AC.UK
Dr John Barry, leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland has welcomed indications that the Provisional IRA has shifted ground in its approach to current negotiations in the Irish peace process. He has called for leaders on all sides to rise to the occasion.
Dr John Barry, leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland, has welcomed indications that the Provisional IRA has moved to close the gap between the Republican Movement and the two governments.
In a statement following the disclosure that the IRA had conveyed a statement to the two governments Sunday night, he said:
"There are indications that the IRA has moved to close the gap between the Republican movement and the expectations of the British and Irish Governments.
"We have entered a critical final phase in a negotiation which must deliver democracy, social justice, equality and ecological sustainability to the people of the North. The Green Party calls on all party and government leaders to rise to the occasion, to show leadership and avoid any temptation to place electoral or other self-interested calculations before a positive response. The Belfast Agreement is supported by the sovereign judgement of the peoples in the North and South of Ireland that it is time to move on...to move on delivering a qualitative peace, free from fear, full of hope."
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