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]

[Youngblood]

And Clinton's meddling didn't really help matters.

Clinton enjoys enormous popularity in Ireland BECAUSE of his involvement in brokering the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, as does George Mitchell. Whether or not you dislike him, he was openly acknowledged to have been a huge help to the two governments in trying to persuade Sinn Fein that this deal was the best way forward. That is why he was brought in again, less successfully, when difficulties arose. As Mitchell said, the working of the deal after endorsement by the people would be (and has been) the hardest part. That is hardly Clinton's or Mitchell's fault.

[TEXASPROUD]

My apologies, I was under the impression General de Chastelain had headed a French-Canadian Regiment. Mygrand uncle was working with OSS and SOE during WW II, it doesn 't necessarily mean I work in intel. The SAS will rip anyone a new one, when told to, even the old "C" sqd, they don't need or want my Texas sixguns. Did you think I was somebody's Nemesis? I am not a hard man, in fact, I am the biggest pussy in the world, after I've slipped in my own blood. I'm just a simple Christian trying to make it through this life as a decent husband and father, pay my bills, do my job, and help out where I can. I am no more and no less.

Again, I hope Peace comes to Northern Ireland.

[Darth Reagan]

I stand corrected on my analysis of Clinton's involvement in Northern Irish politics. My original estimate of his performance was derived from discussions with various folks in the North and in the Republic way back in 1995 (heck, one man in Cork discussed how he'd like Dole to win in 96). Of course, some of that opinion negative to Clinton's involvement came from RUC officers.

I suppose Clinton's relative success with NI is what led him to assume the same approach might work with Israel and the Palestinians, but that's another issue entirely.

As I'm sure you can tell, I currently have no bias (meaning I'm wishy-washy, have taken no position) with respect to N.I. And I hate not having an opinion!

[ex-snook]

Again, if England, instead of endless paddywhacking, had treated Ireland like they treated Canada, there would never have been an IRA. England has no more justification in occupying part of Ireland than they do occupying the Toronto part of Canada.

Canada and the USA have demonstrated and diferent religions do not need different countries. One Canada, one Ireland. Time for the political gerrymandering to end.

[Benson_Carter]

most insightful bump

[KC_Conspirator]

As for Michael Collins, it is my belief that he is an example fo the axiom "you can't please everybody". When it came time to get serious with a new Irish state he came up short because a few ultra extremists thought he had sold out Ulster. The same thing is going to happen to Arafat, but much sooner. If he really wants a state he is going to have to act like a civilized government, and when he does, some fanatic group is going to target him because "he sold out".

I used to be very sympathetic to the IRA, yet over time I have come to the conclusion that much of their behavior is dispicable. The same goes for the mindless Unionists.

[TEXASPROUD]

When partitioning occured,(this is only my opinion) the only real industry was in the North, the south being almost wholly dependent on an Agraian society. The Empire at the time was also the worlds greatest Naval power. The Belfast shipyards were the largest and most diverse in the world. (and could be again). There was no way they were going to give that or the other industry away.

When the cesefire first occured years ago, reinvestment started and people were able to work, tourism increased, and things were looking good. For the first time, in many years. the people of N.I. had hope and the paramilitaries on both sides suddenly found it a bit more difficult to recruit. They may have also seen a bit of their own personal power and influence disappearing.

There are professional trouble makers on both sides, we both acknowledge that. They hide behind High Ideals while screwing the people they say they support. I've heard basically the same things being said in the pubs of Falls Road and on Royal Victoria St. in Belfast. Duty, Honor, and God are common to both sides, and both sides have a dark sinister side that they don't want to see the light of day. Drugs are sold by both sides, and punishment squads are sent out by both sides.

The most heart breaking are the children. I remember one young lad being yelled at by his older brother, ALL Catholics are Fenian Bastards and F*cking Papists. On the other side of town I observed a young lad being egged on by his older brother, "Throw the rock at the soldier Sean." The kid chunked a rock and missed. The kid yells at him, "You missed, you don't love your mother. The younger kid almost in tears says, "I do love me mother."

Hate is taught by both sides. There will have to be a change of heart that will start in the Church's and the Orange Halls, instead of being ostracized for working together, maybe it's time to ostracize for NOT wrking together. The U.K. is not perfect and UK intelligence will do what it will do, but only under orders from Whitehall.

I believe there are honorable individuals on both sides, I've observed many concessions given to the IRA during the talks, but can't remember anything significant being given by them, until NOW. We will decommission our arms dumps. I need that spelt out to me what does that mean? If it means the destruction of weapons,I think the IRA is on to something. Be truthful and forthright and publicly either destroy the weapons, or Hell make some money and sell them to us.(You know us crazy Texans, we don't ever have too many guns. By the way I'll take you to a machine gun shoot if you're ever here in Dallas. It will be a blast.)

[Norn Iron]

You never let statistics get in the way of a good yarn, do you? Republicans have killed a lot more that their opposite numbers in the loyalist camp. Republicans called a ceasefire in 1994 as the number of loyalist killings had then started to catch up with their own.

Republicans are not interested in 'parity of esteem', only domination.

NI remained in the UK after partition because that was the wish of the inhabitants in that part of the island. The UK government was quite prepared to accept Home Rule.

Republicans had a simple choice: disarm or lose American dollars. It was an offer they couldn't refuse from a Republican administration.

[Norn Iron]

You have a much better feel for what is going on than Bold Fenian. He is comfortably immersed in republican propaganda.

[Norn Iron]

the occasion of the PIRA's voluntary disarmament as an excuse to abandon the issue

There was nothing voluntary about it. Haass kicked ass!!

[Mr. K]

I think they realize just how bad a car-bomb in the middle of a parade with men and horses would look right about now.

As Bush (GOD LOVE YOU W) said, we will fight terrorism anywhere.

[Norn Iron]

Adams and McGuinness have done remarkably well to keep the movement together

Dissent is punishable by beatings or death. You can't do that sort of thing in a democratic party!

[Norn Iron]

The IRA had no intention of decommissioning until Haass put their arm up their back. September 11 changed a lot of things.

[Norn Iron]

A radical move by Sinn Fein/IRA would be to leave terorism behind!!