...Irish officials are hoping that the Irish Republican Army will issue a statement on Thursday confirming leaked reports that it plans to give up its armed struggle for a united Ireland and agree to turn solely to political methods. The contents of the statement expected to be issued Thursday have been disclosed to The NYT by an Irish-American businessman who said he had been briefed on the statement. If the terms are fulfilled, the move would be a turning point in the violent history of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Martin McGuinness, one of the leaders of the IRA's political wing,...