Quote:
The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann has formally ordered an end to the
armed campaign.
This will take effect from 4pm [1600 BST] 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 [Independent International Commission on Decommissioning] 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 Fein 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 Oglaigh 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 outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA
Volunteers for the Sinn Fein peace strategy”
“We reiterate our view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate”
“The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish Unity and independence and
to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation”
armed campaign.
This will take effect from 4pm [1600 BST] 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 [Independent International Commission on Decommissioning] 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 Fein 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 Oglaigh 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 outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA
Volunteers for the Sinn Fein peace strategy”
“We reiterate our view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate”
“The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish Unity and independence and
to building the Republic outlined in the 1916 Proclamation”
so... what do you all think of this?
