Has IRA/UDA terrorism become irrelevant?

[yojimbo]

The IRA have just said it’s offically over

The IRA has formally ordered an end to its armed campaign and is to pursue exclusively peaceful political means.

In a long-awaited statement, the republican organisation said it would follow a democratic path ending more than 30 years of violence.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4720863.stm

[yojimbo]

The statement

The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign.

This will take effect from 4pm 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 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 Féin 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 Óglaigh 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.

[irishgirl]

I suppose we’ll have to wait and see now. At least, if it works, the whole decommsioning thing will have been settled.
Or not…some people just won’t give in no matter what happens, sometimes “No Surrender” means exactly that.
Although I did have to laugh at this:
“We appreciate the honest and forthright way in which the consultation process was carried out and the depth and content of the submissions.”

Translation: “Thank you for not shooting each other while we were hammering this out”.

“We are proud of the comradely way in which this truly historic discussion was conducted.”

Translation: “Thanks again for not killing each other.”

[Pushkin]

We are very mindful of the sacrifices of our patriot dead, those who went to jail, Volunteers, their families and the wider republican base

As hard to swallow as ever, nice of them to be generous enough to think of themselves first :rolleyes:

But something to be optomistic about at least

[StaberindeMk2]

@Pushkin

As hard to swallow as ever, nice of them to be generous enough to think of themselves first :rolleyes:

But something to be optomistic about at least

Well they have to keep all parts of the organisation sweet, thats intended to mollify any members who would be saying, “Hold on, we haven’t got a United Ireland, what exactly have the past thirty years of struggle been for?”

Good news anyway.

fingers crossed

[Pushkin]

@StaberindeMk2

Well they have to keep all parts of the organisation sweet, thats intended to mollify any members who would be saying, “Hold on, we haven’t got a United Ireland, what exactly have the past thirty years of struggle been for?”

I know, but it irritates none the less.

[StaberindeMk2]

@Pushkin

I know, but it irritates none the less.

Indeed.
But at least now they’re moving away from the scene and can hopefully begin fading into the background, eventually there’ll be no such thing as “a new IRA statement”.

[Pushkin]

Indeed, they’re just words after all. If they’re backed up by deeds then who am I to argue.

And they probably will be, I think we’ve reached the stage when the sweet sweet fudge of Northern Irish politics has come far enough along to allow enough of the right people to save face (always important) and do things like the rest of the civilised world.

Even if it does mean extremist Republicans can gain support from militants sorts and keep their arms, most Republicans will toe the party line and the die hards will die off eventually.

Something to be hopeful about at least.