sinnfeinnews.com,
July 28, 2005
IRA ordered an end to the armed
campaign.
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.