IRA puts down it's arms

[k69atie]

IRA PUTS DOWN ITS ARMS

The IRA paramilitary movement will put down its arms from 4pm today.

A statement from the republicans said it would end armed struggles and work towards peaceful solutions


The long-awaited pledge instructed all IRA members to "assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means".

The leadership said it will invite one witness each from the Protestant and Catholic churches to witness the disarmament.

Aside from and end to violence, IRA volunteers were also told not to "engage in any other activities whatsoever".

There was no apology from the IRA for around 30 years of violence which has killed many and injured hundreds. Nor was did it contain any promise to disband.

But there were strong words for the British and Irish governments and unionists.

The statement said: "There is widespread concern about the failure of the two governments and the unionists to fully engage in the peace process.

"This has created real difficulties."

It brings about a day many people thought would never arrive. The Northern Ireland Troubles have killed around 3,500 people, with more than half of those put down to the IRA.

 

[Zero Cool]

Just saw it on Sky News. Good news, perhaps now the North can finally move on a road of exclusively democratic processes although with triumphialists like Paisley around it may be a while yet before full closure is reached on the conflict.

 

[k69atie]

Def good news

 

[Morris]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Besides, the "IRA" as defined, that is the group affiliated with the party Sinn Fein, is no longer the violent branch of the movement. The more violent/extremist/militant wings of the IRA broke off from them about 5-6 years ago anyway.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

If you asked me couple of months ago what the IRA was, all I could have told you was that it was a group of people somewhere in the UK. Sometime later, I start chatting with Zero Cool and Calcuo. All the knowledge they've been feeding me finally pays off because the IRA is mentioned on the news. The point is, this would have meant nothing to me if it wasn't for this two dudes.

I changed my MSN display name to a picture of Bobby Sands in memory of the IRA. So much history down the drain...

 

[The.Menace]

The didn't fight with arms anyway for a long time - so this is jsut like taking their previous behavior to an other level. Good news still of course - hopefully they all can find a peaceful solution.

 

[devils_advok8]

If you asked me couple of months ago what the IRA was, all I could have told you was that it was a group of people somewhere in the UK. Sometime later, I start chatting with Zero Cool and Calcuo. All the knowledge they've been feeding me finally pays off because the IRA is mentioned on the news. The point is, this would have meant nothing to me if it wasn't for this two dudes.

Same here

 

[k69atie]

THE PROMISE OF PEACE

The military presence in Northern Ireland is being scaled down after the IRA's historic promise to abandon violence and embrace peace.

Work has started to remove a watchtower in the republican stronghold of south Armagh and vacate an Army base in Forkhill.


Lieutenant General Sir Reddy Watt, the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland, said a lookout post will be removed at Newtownhamilton police station.

A revised security programme is also being published in the near future and plans are being made to allow on-the-run paramilitary fugitives to return home.

Unionists, however, have reacted with anger at the military scale down.

Arlene Foster, a senior member of the Democratic Unionist Party, said: "It's criminally irresponsible of the government to do that, given what has gone on in those border areas.

"It's startling that when the IRA give a statement saying they will stop what they should never have been doing the government act so soon."

The decision to abandon armed struggle in favour of "political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means" means new efforts to restore devolution are expected.

But Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain will likely delay the opening of any discussions until September.

By this time the British and Irish governments hope the Provisionals will have completed their decommissioning process.

Tony Blair, in a joint statement with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, said: "If the IRA's words are borne out by actions, it will be a momentous and historic development.

"Independent verification will be vitally important to enable trust and confidence to be restored."

International disarmament chief General John de Chastelain is due to meet an IRA representative in the coming days as part of plans to empty the arms dumps.

Two clergymen - one Protestant, one Catholic - have been chosen to scrutinise the destruction along with Gen de Chastelain.

 

[The.Menace]

The military presence in Northern Ireland is being scaled down after the IRA's historic promise to abandon violence and embrace peace.

Damn, that's great.

 

[2pacalypse Now]

i hope they take their time with the decommisioning, an inbalance of power is the last thing the people of Ireland need.