Posted on 07/28/2005 5:50:14 AM PDT by infocats
The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign.
This will take effect from 4pm 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 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.
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 Féin 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. 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 import of the decisions we have taken and all Óglaigh 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.
The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation.
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."
:)
I have to agree with your assessment.
I remember going to the Great Irish Fair in Bath Beach a few years ago, when then Mayor Giuliani made an appearance.
Although, on balance, he was given a friendly reception, there were a few catcalls and boos lobbed at him by some hecklers, who apparently still resented him for his involvement in the deportation hearings of Doherty when he was the Deputy Attorney General during the Reagan administration.
Personally, I believe that one of Giuliani's most admirable traits is his ability to stand up to terrorism-either implicit or explicit-and the people who practice or endorse it in any manner whatsoever.
Whether it's his invitation to City Hall of courageous human rights activist, political dissident, and acclaimed poet Wei Jiangsheng, his embrace of anti-Communist labor activist Harry Wu, his shunning of Yasser Arafat, and refusal to bow to "El Hefe," or his ability to denounce any anti-social band of rogues who spread fear in their wake, from the Tons-ton macoute to Hamas, he has been thoroughly consistent throughout his political and professional career.
Now THAT would get Gerry Adams an invite to the White House next St Paddy's Day!
Forty wasted years, thousands of dead, tens of thousands maimed or bereaved, and for what.
The PIRA has achieved nothing but huge human and economic loss.
It is a revolutionary communist based organization, and that is why it has those links to other terrorist groups worldwide.
The PIRA were never interested in the wellbeing of the Northern Irish Catholics, they merely used them as a stepping stone to the real goal of a revolutionary socialist all Ireland government.
"Christ I hate them."
Never forget that a lot of the money backing these terrorists came from Boston. Not the least is one fat slob in the Senate who has also been a key supporter of this evil bunch.
"IRA = Northern Ireland"
No, the IRA = terrorists in Ireland. Many carried out their terrorist activities in Northern Ireland, but hid themselves across the border on the Republic of Ireland side. The 'unity' that they claim to seek is to unite the six northern counties with the rest of Ireland by driving the British and Protestants out of those six counties.
In the past it has always been about wielding their ugly power and sometimes they have done it on the Republic of Ireland side of the border.
There were armed and baracaded border crossing points between the Republic and Northern Ireland. This was mostly show, in my opinion. There were also always many unmanned crossing points along the border, and during the time that I lived in Northern Ireland (3 years, '78-'81 I had, on occasion driven my car across the border at locations where there was do border security. The border was as porous as our border to the south is now.
your argument is best answered by a question: why does america occupy alaska? - its contiguous with canada, has no land connection with the united states and the people there are the 'same' as those canadians who live near the totally artificial border.
answer: because alaskans wish to be american, not canadian.
the same is true in northern ireland, some wish to be irish, but most (65% at last count) don't, they wish to be british.
northern ireland costs the UK a fortune and takes much needed resourses away from the fight against al-qaeda, but thats the price of democracy - the settled will of the people.
Thanks, I didn't realize such a high percentage of N. Ireland's population wanted to remain British.
But here's the thing Boyo. A terrorist, is a terrorist, is a terrorist. I don't care what his arguments are, what he thinks the justice of his cause is, or indeed what his cause is.
I'd relish the chance to kill any yellow terrorist of any religion of any color. Anyone that deliberately sets out to kill innocent women and children deserves no consideration.
Exactly. A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist. Those other guys need to stop making excuses for the IRA, RIRA, PIRA , etc etc
Cromwell did similar things in England, too.
I am wondering if this IRA response is due to the current bombings in London reminding folks of the old days. Maybe it was bringing up some bad memories. Do you think it has been a factor in this decision?
Wonder what was ceded the IRA so Brits could devote more security resources to muslim terror?
Ireland is prosperous due to supppy-side economics of the Irish Government since late 1980s. Low tax rates...
So the lesson is supply-side economics will eventually defeat terrorism.
Yes, but it's more complicated than that. Because Ireland has huge social programs that have been funded in large part by EU member states (in other words, Germany) -- I mean that's the ideal isn't it, to have Democrat-style big government programs and not have to worry about having to pay for any of it.
Well done by the IRA !
Maybe the combatants in the Middle East will also heed the words of this song...
"Lay down your gun. Don't be so reckless !"
The same Airey Neave who escaped from Colditz?
CC
Of course its a response to the latest bombing. This has been in the minds of the IRA for a long time, since 9/11. They are forced to make decisions after the world has clamped down on terrorism. Before 9/11, they enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere in teh US and around the world for their operations, not so anymore. Hence the decision to stop(for a while at least)
Pray for W and Our Troops
IMHO, its not more complicated than that, because Govt aid has *not* helped Ireland and in general *doesnt* help build economies.
If Govt aid helped economies, Africa would be the richest continent.
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