An Phoblacht today printed in full a statement from the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann (IRA). "More than ten years ago, an IRA cessation publicly heralded the onset of the Irish peace process. Since then, the IRA has, time and again, demonstrated its commitment to sustaining and developing that process through a series of very significant and substantive initiatives. In the context of the work to conclude a comprehensive agreement, the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann decided: - to support a comprehensive agreement by moving into a new mode which reflects our determination to see the transition to a totally peaceful society; - all IRA Volunteers be given specific instructions not to engage in any activity which might thereby endanger that new agreement; - the IRA leadership also decided that we will, in this context, conclude the process to completely and verifiably put all our arms beyond use; - we instructed our representative to agree with the IICD the completion of this process, speedily, and if possible by the end of December; - to further enhance public confidence we agreed to the presence of two clergymen as observers during this process. The IRA leadership decided to contribute in this way to a comprehensive agreement to resolve all outstanding issues, including those of concern within unionism. For his part, Ian Paisley demanded that our contribution be photographed, and reduced to an act of humiliation. This was never possible. Knowing this, he made this demand publicly as the excuse for his rejection of an overall agreement to create a political context with the potential to remove the causes of conflict. As the IRA leadership has said before, this is a context in which Irish republicans and unionists can, as equals, pursue our respective political objectives peacefully. We restate our commitment to the peace process. But we will not submit to a process of humiliation. We commend our Volunteers and the wider republican base for their patience and discipline in these testing times. Our commitment, like theirs, to our republican objectives is undiminished. We thank those who have made genuine contributions to the efforts to find solutions to ongoing problems. While acknowledging these efforts, we reiterate our view that progress cannot be made by pandering to the demands of those who are against change. The search for a just and lasting peace is a challenging one. The IRA leadership has risen to that challenge. The British Government and the leaders of unionism must do likewise." P O'Neill Irish Republican Publicity Bureau Dublin What are peoples feelings on this? As far as I can tell the people of the north are totally frustrated. Members of my own family in Eire are equally disillusioned. Does Ian Paisley really want this to succeed or are the DUP making ridiculous demands, that in a political environment steeped in symbolism, he/they knows the Republicans can't/won't deliver? And I know I'm not the brightest spark but.....where are the Loyalist arms in all of this?
I sympathise with the republican cause. I don't sympathise in the slightest with the IRA. The DUP are a bunch of thugs who have no interest in compromise.
Personally I think the leaders on both sides are a bunch of wankers and terrorists. I can't ever see them getting on with each other. The majority of people on both sides of the great divide just want an end to it. I can see this draggin on for a few years yet Personally I would untie the rope and let Northern Ireland float away along with Wales and Scotland but unfortunately in the case of Northern Ireland the buggers just won't let go. - lights touch paper, stands back, wait for the fireworks. Flack Jacket and helmut - stand by for Leek and Thistle attack from the Celts.
Agreed in the main with this but will carry on tomorrow as shagged. Cobalt...will deal with YOU later!!
Whilst I feel that both sides are at fault for failing to come to a compromise, I do feel that the unionists stand to gain more from a failed process. If a devolutionary government does not sit, as a territory of the United Kingdom, it will be governed from Westminster. I also agree with Zonk, where are the unionist arms?
As a child I had a relative who told me the stories of the 'heroes' of the IRA such as Michael Collins and Sir Roger Casement. They were brilliant stories and probably have something to do with my politics today. By the time I was 16 this same man went balistic when I said I supported the IRA with shouts of 'murdering Fenian bastard'! I was confused to say the least. Today I have a certain sympathy with Republicanism. What I cant stand though is an organisation that is prepared to bomb innocent members of either communities. If they had stuck to fighting soldiers they would've had more of my respect. They were after all fighting, as they saw it, an occupying army and defending themselves from years of Loyalist oppression. The reality however is that the IRA became a gangster organisation with certain of its leaders especially in areas like South Armagh building massive fortunes and empires for themselves. The Murphy's are one of the main families allegidley involved. http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/moloney2001/ma32-4.htm And their millions are not going toward the poor republican people in the North but rather into their own bank accounts. I think to simply categorise the IRA leadership as wankers and terrorists is a little silly considering the British Army have been unable to beat them isn't it? They have put their guns down of their own accord and as far as I can tell are desperatly trying to not return to armed struggle. Insane bombers was something the media threw around for years and probably goes a certain way to explaining the IRA's success. Your average IRA leader is extremely well educated and in the main very far from the kind of human being you could imagine. If you met one in a pub or restaurant i doubt you'd believe it if someone said they were members of the IRA. How they could orchestrate some of the most savage attrocities since the second world war however is a question I think a lot of them are infact trying to come to terms with finally. There are ofcourse those who dont fit that bill as I pointed out above. Sadly I think it is stupid for the IRA to give up all their arms for one main reason. If this process doesn't succeed there are REAL maniacs in the break off Real IRA and Continuity IRA willing to return to the madness. The only people who are in a position to stop these arseholes are the IRA themselves. At the end of the day however as some said about Yasser Arrafat, until that idiot Ian Paisley dies there isn't a lot of scope for the process to move forward. I watch the likes of Gerry Adams etc using words of appeasment while Paisley rants fire and brimstone still. The man is an ass! The IRA will not be humiliated or 'surrender' in the way the DUP want, and if anything, I WILL support them in that! And Stealthsheep...yes where are their guns in all of this!!!
Yeah, that's exactly the problem. The IRA have more in common with the Mafia than with any group of 'freedom fighters'. They've established themselves as an organisation of thugs who make money out of any illicit activity that can turn a profit. I remember having this discussion with some twat from the Revolutionary Communist Party many years ago. He simply wouldn't accept the truth of what I was telling him. He was convinced the IRA were noble revolutionaries fighting for a worthy cause. When I pointed out that I had (Catholic) friends from Belfast who confirmed this view of the IRA from first-hand experience, he told me that those friends didn't know what they were talking about. Which was a bit rich coming from someone who'd never even been to Northern Ireland! I entirely agree. The unionists are currently the largst obstacle to the peace process. Whatever their history, Adams and co. appear to be genuinely trying to engage in a peaceful solution. Paisley's campaign to humiliate them will serve no other purpose than perpetuating an armed conflict that could be finally brought to an end with a little compromise. Paisley is, indeed, an ass.
Here is an interesting couple of pages about the Loyalists who have as far as I'm aware not even declared a ceasefire and have no plans to disarm. http://www.cfrterrorism.org/groups/uvf.html And on the IRA splinter groups http://www.cfrterrorism.org/groups/realira.html Paisley's own website is extremely informative!! www.ianpaisley.org It seems to me that all parties want a settlement, but Paisley's lot will settle only for a surrender!
I would love to get embroiled in another argument but I have to concede that with regard to this topic I can offer no construcive criticism to what has already been said. I even agree it was a silly comment to make. Sigh.....Going to have to find someone else to annoy..
The major problem in the impass is more to do with the fact that the same people are making the 'peace' as made the 'war'. It's the same old grudges, same vested interests, the same excuses and the same blame game. The feel I get in N. Ireland and particulary with living in Belfast, is that people just want to get on with a sense of normality. It's only when you leave you realise that life here is not normal! If the IRA could show the photos of the decommisioned arms in accordance with the ICD, but not publish them until after the executive is estabished I think it could be an acceptable way of saving face, because at the moment both sides are using retoric which will make any backdown "a humiliation". Paisley will no doubt find some cantankerous reason for suspending the parliament in any event come March. This is why I think a whole new generation should be responsible for the peace process, these people are far too intrenched..... As for you BlueColbolt.....that statement about cutting N.Ireland off into the sea is about the extent of most 'mainland' peoples opinion. They don't get the news in full and only see examples of times when things have gone wrong, N.Ireland is also a financial drain on the rest of the UK and what you've said probably sums up what Tony Blair is thinking too. But let me say I find such a statement to be the height of arrogance, as it is based entirely in a vacuum of information and to say it also about Scotland and Wales suggests to me your England über ganz sonst leanings.