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07/04/2005
IRA to respond to Adams’ letter in ‘due course’
The IRA has said it will consider the letter sent to its leadership by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams “in due course”
In a letter sent to the leadership of the republican group, and released to the media on Wednesday, Mr Adams praised the IRA for keeping “every commitment made by its leadership” since its ceasefire announcement in 1994.
However, Mr Adams appealed to the IRA to give up its "armed struggle" and embrace the republican movement's shift towards politics.
In a statement signed 'P O'Neil' released on Thursday the IRA leadership said: "The leadership of the IRA was given notice of the appeal by SF president Gerry Adams. We have noted his comments. The IRA will give his appeal due consideration and will respond in due course."
The Government today described Mr Adams’comments in which he called for the IRA to "fully embrace and accept" democratic means as “significant and welcome”.
Responding on Thursday a Government spokesperson said: "This clearly is a significant and welcome statement by Gerry Adams. Obviously the key will be what the IRA does as a result, and it is on that that any final judgement must be made. But we hope this represents the way forward for Republicanism, because the only way forward is through exclusively peaceful and democratic means."
The US State Department also welcomed Mr Adams’ comments but said it was now waiting for “concrete actions” by the IRA to support the policy advocated by the Sinn Fein president.
"Respect for the rule of law is an essential element of the democratic society that Mr Adams has outlined," said a spokesman.
"We strongly endorse this vision and once again call for all paramilitary activity and criminality to cease. The United States remains steadfast in its support for the peace process."
(MB/SP)
In a letter sent to the leadership of the republican group, and released to the media on Wednesday, Mr Adams praised the IRA for keeping “every commitment made by its leadership” since its ceasefire announcement in 1994.
However, Mr Adams appealed to the IRA to give up its "armed struggle" and embrace the republican movement's shift towards politics.
In a statement signed 'P O'Neil' released on Thursday the IRA leadership said: "The leadership of the IRA was given notice of the appeal by SF president Gerry Adams. We have noted his comments. The IRA will give his appeal due consideration and will respond in due course."
The Government today described Mr Adams’comments in which he called for the IRA to "fully embrace and accept" democratic means as “significant and welcome”.
Responding on Thursday a Government spokesperson said: "This clearly is a significant and welcome statement by Gerry Adams. Obviously the key will be what the IRA does as a result, and it is on that that any final judgement must be made. But we hope this represents the way forward for Republicanism, because the only way forward is through exclusively peaceful and democratic means."
The US State Department also welcomed Mr Adams’ comments but said it was now waiting for “concrete actions” by the IRA to support the policy advocated by the Sinn Fein president.
"Respect for the rule of law is an essential element of the democratic society that Mr Adams has outlined," said a spokesman.
"We strongly endorse this vision and once again call for all paramilitary activity and criminality to cease. The United States remains steadfast in its support for the peace process."
(MB/SP)
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