IRA decommissioning statement [Official Full Text]

Guardian ^ | October 23, 2001 | Signed: P O'Neill. [A nom de plume used by the IRA to authenticate its statements]

[Sparticle]

The IRA said today it had begun decommissioning its weapons. Here is its statement in full

The IRA is committed to our republican objectives and to the establishment of a united Ireland based on justice, equality and freedom.

In August l994, against a background of lengthy and intensive discussions involving the two governments and others, the leadership of the IRA called a complete cessation of military operations in order to create the dynamic for a peace process. 'Decommissioning' was no part of that. There was no ambiguity about this.

Unfortunately there are those within the British establishment and the leadership of unionism who are fundamentally opposed to change. At every opportunity they have used the issue of arms as an excuse to undermine and frustrate progress.

It is for this reason that decommissioning was introduced to the process by the British government. It has been used since to prevent the changes that a lasting peace requires. In order to overcome this and to encourage the changes necessary for a lasting peace, the leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann (IRA) has taken a number of substantial initiatives.

These include our engagement with the IICD (Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) and the inspection of a number of arms dumps by the two international inspectors, Cyril Ramaphosa and Martti Ahtisaari.

No one should doubt the difficulties these initiatives cause for us, our volunteers and our supporters. The political process is now on the point of collapse. Such a collapse would certainly, and eventually, put the overall peace process in jeopardy.

There is a responsibility upon everyone seriously committed to a just peace to do our best to avoid this. Therefore, in order to save the peace process, we have implemented the scheme agreed with the IICD in August.

Our motivation is clear. This unprecedented move is to save the peace process and to persuade others of our genuine intentions.

[Sparticle]

No, its not a statement by the Secretary of the Treasury.

[spycatcher]

This makes Arafat look bad, good timing

[jammer]

Interesting that this happened NOT while we had the inept Klinton doing his "peace process" schtick. It happens while we are seeing a different kind of peace process--George Bush style. Sort of like the Iranians releasing the hostages 2 hours before Reagan's inauguration, there may be a strong link between renouncing being a rogue thug and the prospect of imminent room temperature.

[NewAmsterdam]

Makes you wonder how long their 'committment to peas....errrrrr......sorry, peace' will last. On past performance: only as long as people are keeping a close eye on terrorism. After that: business as usual!

[jammer]

Good point. This is a good strategic move, living to fight another day. Perhaps when the next Demo gets elected?

[Darth Reagan]

I guess the IRA realized that they had been acting like savages. Muslim fundamentalists put it into perspective for them. It's about time.

[WyldKard]

Wow...funny thing, it's the NON-Muslim terrorists that start to say "Hmmm...perhaps now is the time to finally stop dicking over the US. Maybe it's time to actually sit down and talk"

Smart boys.

[billbears]

I guess the IRA realized that they had been acting like savages

I know!! How horrible of them to fight for freedom from Britain when they should subjugate themselves to the All Knowing Empire. Wonder why the United StateS didn't follow the same principle in 1775 and give in to British rule for a few lousy unpowerful seats in Parliament. < /sarcasm>

Of course the US has had it's experience in subjagation of unruly freedom loving stateS in the past before. Boy I sure hope 100 years from now the Irish are as dependent upon the STATE as we all are now. What were those crazy Founding Fathers thinking when they wrote such a crazy document as the Constitution. According to some around here, they should have just sent out a memo telling everyone to bow towards the nation's capital instead of trying to set up a Federal Republic where all the stateS had rights

[norton]

Will someone more atuned to wandering BS please tell me what this statement says they are going to do?
According to the IRA they have never been not in compliance with the agreements they cite.
So where's the big breakthrough?

[tonycavanagh]

re : when they should subjugate themselves to the All Knowing Empire.

Before as an English man who served his countries military defending Queen an Empire I may have hung my head in shame.

Not

But from what I have read on this very site America wants to have her own All Knowing Empire.

Pax America here we come, 10 to 20 years from know what will you call the President Caesar.

Cheers my soon to be subject of the American Empire.

Tony

[NewAmsterdam]

Sorry, but the IRA has not been 'dicking over the US'. Quite the contrarary: the IRA was allowed to raise millions of cash in the US; so many Americans considered them loveable rogues with a just cause against those evil English. Lots of sentimentality about beautiful, spiritual Ireland against those twisted and lying British. Made me puke. Let's hope that rubbish is over now for once and for all. The IRA have been and still are murderers of innocent civilians. They were and are terrorist. America and Americans have given these terrorists money and political support in the past. A softly whispered, small apology would be much appreciated by the British who are now, after all, on your side.

[NewAmsterdam]

It means nothing. It is just another element of the protracted never-ending communist tactic of lying, argueing, talking, negotiating, considering, while keeping up the violent pressure. The IRA consists of old-style communists who have changed their clothing but not their political philosophy and tactics. Mark my words.

[Ironword]

IRA statement reads thus, interpreted:

"If we so much as lit a firecracker in the future, an American aircraft carrier filled with mean dudes would park itself off the coast of Ireland and deal. Hence, because, in this post-September 11 era, our weapons are now useless, we'll "give snow in the winter," as it were. (Especially because some of the folks Stateside don't want the FBI to start exploring what the 'political contributions' really bought.)"

I suppose, if it's real, it's good for the violence-weary populace of Ireland and Northern Ireland. If so, the thugs on the loyalist side should respond in kind.

[Ironword]

Sort of like the Iranians releasing the hostages 2 hours before Reagan's inauguration, there may be a strong link between renouncing being a rogue thug and the prospect of imminent room temperature.

LOL. Recent telegraphed statements by GWB and Cheney, such as "wherever we find it" and "no neutral ground" were motivating for peace, weren't they?

[cake_crumb]

It's about time they realized that Cromwell is dead. I hope they're sincre.

[Rockiesrider]

The idea that the IRA is going to stand down (in reality or not) is a very smart ploy. The U.S. will owe Great Britain a lot after this Bin Laden deal. I'm sure that the IRA know that they would probably be on the extermination list very soon. Time to lay low...for awhile.

[epluribus_2]

Yeah, but you know durn well old lovehimself will proudly bleat about any real peace deal that comes out of this. "Ah worked so hawrd to resolve these issues and implement plans that are only now coming to frutition..." Blech!

[jammer]

Recent telegraphed statements by GWB and Cheney

You are correct. It isn't difficult to see it from their perspective--and these folks know that when GWB and Cheney say it, they mean it.

For all Nixon's faults, and he had many, one of his attributes was that Breshnev, among other tyrants, thought he was crazy, liable to do anything. They blustered, but never were sure of what reactions he would have. In effect, they were scared of him. Therefore, Nixon could negotiate from a position of strength. I don't accuse GWB or Cheney of being crazy, but the effect is the same.

[jammer]

Isn't that the distinguishing characteristic of the bureaucrat and liberal: "I work so hard and am motivated so highly, that it MUST be good?" No mention of results.

They measure input, not output.

[Tribune7]

Dang,

I misread it. I thought it said IRS decommissioning statement.