Message de l'IRA d'hier, 28 07 05

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

BELFAST - The following historic statement was issued by Óglaigh na
hÉireann, the Irish Republican Army, today, Thursday 28 July 2005.

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.    ...[Óglaigh na hÉireann]