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."
As someone who has never identified himself as an Irish-American but as an American, whose grandparents all came from Ireland, I have to say I was enjoying reading your intelligent posts, but when you make snarky comments like this, you come off as much the bigot as those you properly condemn.
You've got the facts on your side; leave out the BS bigotry (or, depending on if you're an Irish-American yourself, the self-loathing). I only mention this because I like what you've got to say and am learning a lot, so it's for selfish reasons I respectfully ask you to can that kind of stuff, which is precisely the type of partisan "ethnic" thinking that the IRA scum engaged in.
I readily admit I have never understood (nor really cared) what caused the political strife over there....but I think I'm in agreement with you here.
The IRA (and whoever) have seen al Qaeda and are now ashamed to be on the same level as the ragheads. (I know I would be).
Time to show how civilized people can resolve differences.
"Hi there...I'm from the Continuity IRA"...lol....."I used to be with the Existential IRA"
Great Posting!
V-e-r-y nice indeed!
How many IRA bombing has there been since Sept. 11, 2001?
(Serious question...I do not know)
None. Plenty of punishment shootings though.
None. Plenty of punishment shootings though.
Sorry for the double post.
There was even something called the Irish People's Liberation Organization, whose sole purpose for being was to obliterate the Republican Socialist Movement, which had given birth to the INLA.
Eventually, it spiraled into what was basically a street gang, which was funded via the sale of illicit narcotics.
The Provisional IRA put an end to them by wiping out their entire membership in Belfast.
Well of course the PIRA is "unsavory" ... it's mostly Marxist!
The last person specifically targeted for assassination-to the best of my recollection-was a notorious criminal, Martin Cahill.
But you are correct, in the sense that the September 11th massacres had a lot to with Sinn Fein's ultimate acceptance that they had to decommission their arms and give up the storage depots, or face the universal scorn of the international community
A nation once again I hope!
It will take time, but we will see a united Eire in our lifetimes. This is a victory for peace and for the right end. Blessed by God forever.
I recently watched the DVD of The General which was about the Cahill affair. Not a bad film but I have no sense of its accuracy since Cahill was portrayed as a Robin Hood-type.
"...I have to say I was enjoying reading your intelligent posts..."
I agree that this thread has been a good read and I learned something about the conflict (I am not of Irish descent). I am struck, however, by the backward-looking theme of the whole discussion. It may be that there is too much history and brutality on all sides to have anything less, but when is it time to start looking to the future?
The real question is not who won or lost or who is guilty or not guilty anymore, but what happens next? Armed conflict is easy compared to the more difficult task of rebuilding and changing hearts.
Agree with most of your post, but the Shankill Butchers did not work with the approval of the UVF and were, if stories are to be believed, killed with the help of the UVF.
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