Army Statements

Wednesday May 07, 2003 11:27

by P O'Neil - Irish Republican Publicity Bureau

The IRA leadership is committed to making the peace process work.

The IRA leadership is committed to making the peace process work.

That is why we called our cessation.

That is why we have maintained it.

That is why we have taken a series of significant initiatives.

That is why at the beginning of April we shared concepts and
drafts with others. While that process was ongoing these concepts
and drafts were mischievously leaked and misrepresented by the
two governments. This was an abuse of trust.

Despite this on Sunday April 13 the IRA leadership closed on a
statement setting out our view on recent developments in the
peace process and on:

- The current disposition of Oglaigh na hEireann and the status
of our cessation.

- Our future intentions.

- Our attitude to re-engagement with the IICD and engagement in a
process of putting arms beyond use.

- A third act of putting arms beyond use to be verified under the
agreed scheme.

- A willingness to address unionist concerns.

- An apology to the families and friends of non-combatants killed
as a consequence of our actions.

This statement, which contained significant proposals to move the
process forward, was given to the two governments on April 13.
They described it as positive, welcomed the obvious progress and
said that the statement showed a clear desire to make the peace
process work.

On April 23 the British Prime Minister (Tony Blair) in a clear
breach of protocol publicly misquoted aspects of our statement
and went on to pose three questions.

This and the subsequent word games have caused justifiable anger
and annoyance.

Despite this the President of Sinn Fein responded in a clear and
unambiguous way. His answers accurately reflected our position.

There is no lack of clarity. Our statement and the commitments
contained in it was dependent on agreement involving the two
governments, the UUP and Sinn Fein.

With regard to putting arms beyond use our representative met,
several times, with the IICD. In order, in particular, to
facilitate the UUP and to enhance the process to achieve
agreement we made preparations for a quantity of munitions to be
put beyond use.

In the event of agreement we were prepared to act immediately and
our preparations were at an advanced stage.

Regrettably the two governments and the UUP rejected our
statement and our initiatives.

Our April 13 statement has now been overtaken by events.

We are placing it on the public record so that people can judge
for themselves the significance of our proposed initiatives to
advance the peace process.

P O'Neill,
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau

----------------------------------------------------------------
Following is the complete text of the IRA statement provided to
the British and Irish governments on April 13:
----------------------------------------------------------------

The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann takes this opportunity to
give our view of the current phases of the peace process. In
particular we want to address unionist concerns.

The political responsibility for advancing the current situation
rests with the two governments, especially the British
Government, and the leaderships of the political parties.

Accordingly, the IRA leadership have assessed commitments from
the two governments and the UUP.

The IRA has a genuine interest in building an enduring political
process because we want to see the removal of the causes of the
conflict in our country.

Although the Irish Republican Army is not a party to the Good
Friday Agreement, we are disappointed that the Agreement has not
been implemented.

We are disappointed also that the commitments in the joint
declaration are conditional and protracted. Despite this we want
to give them a fair wind.

Oglaigh na hEireann supports the peace process. We want it to
work. We affirm that our cessation is intact.

We are resolved to see the complete and final closure of this
conflict. The IRA leadership is determined to ensure that our
activities, disciplines and strategies will be consistent with
this.

Furthermore, the full and irreversible implementation of the
Agreement and other commitments will provide a context in which
the IRA can proceed to definitively set aside arms to further our
political objectives.

When there is such a context this decision can be taken only by a
General Army Convention representing all our volunteers.

We want to enhance the climate at all levels of society so that
unionists and loyalists, nationalists and republicans, free from
threats to their rights and safety, can engage together in
community, political and other areas of co- operation and work.

The IRA poses no threat to the unionist people or to the peace
process.

The IRA leadership reiterates our commitment to resolving the
issue of arms. The commitments from the two governments,
including the ending of the suspension of the political
institutions, and the firm pledge by the leader of the Ulster
Unionist Party that he will actively support the sustained
working of the political institutions and other elements of the
Good Friday Agreement, enables us to do this.

We have authorised our representative to meet with the IICD with
a view to proceeding with the implementation of a process to put
arms beyond use at the earliest opportunity.

We have also authorised a third act of putting arms beyond use.
This will be verified under the agreed scheme.

These initiatives are part of our ongoing contribution to the
collective endeavour. The commitments made by the two governments
and the UUP are a necessary part of this.

We support genuine efforts to build a just and peaceful future
for all the people of this island. This is a collective task for
all sections of society. Unionist political leaders have a
special contribution to make.

We are Irish republicans. Our objective is a united Ireland. We
are not unionists or British and no one should expect us to to
set aside our political objectives or our republicanism.

We do not claim to fully understand unionist perceptions. But we
are prepared to listen and to learn. And we are committed to
playing our part in creating the conditions in which unionists,
nationalists and republicans can live together peacefully.

Building the collective trust to achieve this is a huge challenge
for everyone. Given the experience of nationalists and
republicans during the decades of conflict and before, this is a
particular challenge for us. It is also a challenge for unionists
and the British Government.

Much hurt has been inflicted by British Government policy, by
successive British Governments and by the old unionist regime.
Great pain has been caused by the British army, the RUC and
loyalist paramilitaries. Irish republicans and nationalists have
a proud and honourable record of resistance against these forces.
We know unionists do not see it like that.

We are also conscious that non-combatants were killed and injured
as a consequence of some of our actions. We offer our sincere
apologies and condolences to their families and friends.

The IRA is committed to supporting every effort to make conflict
a thing of the past. To this end the IRA leadership has
previously authorised a series of unprecedented initiatives to
enhance the search for a lasting peace.

On occasions these have been undervalued or dismissed. Despite
this, we are persisting in our endeavours. The initiatives
outlined in this statement involve further substantive and
additional contributions by the IRA.

Both governments - and unionists and republicans alike - have now
an opportunity which cannot and should not be wasted.

P O'Neill,
Irish Republican Army.

save preference

Comments (17 of 17)

Jump To Comment:

Whose Army?

by Citizen Joe

Wed May 07, 2003 12:07

Whose Army? You have no right to call yourselves the "Army". You are only a bunch of self-appointed heavies who control protection rackets and cheap cigarette rackets around the country. The reason you can't promise to disarm, disband and end punishment beatings is that you know that then your victims would be able to stand up to you and make you answer for your crimes.
Disarm and disband now, get your jackboot off the necks of the people. Let us get on with our lives and let us live free from fascistic intimidation and threat. Tá bhur lá tagtha! I bhfad uainn sibh!

Smiling

by Killian Forde

Wed May 07, 2003 13:17

Citizen,

Ní dhéanfadh an saoí capall rás d'asal. Think about it. ;)

Yes indeedy

by Citizen Kane

Wed May 07, 2003 13:23

Who let Joe Duffy onto this site?

A Marathon of Abuse in Beal Feirste

by James

Wed May 07, 2003 13:43

Fair play to the IRA, for those who dont know theyve been the last line of defense for Irish Republicans in the occupied north of Ireland.
Went up to support friends in the Beal Feirste marathon and had a small tricolour on flying on my ruck sack. The amount of sectarian abuse I got while running around the route was stunning. |From being referred to as a fenian c**t by some passing runners to "RA Scum" while in East Belfast to a car pulling along side me an warning me to take "THAT FLAG" off the road or else risk having it rammed where the sun dont shine, I have the utmost sympathy for Irish citizens living under this oppression. Dont give up your arms lads until the Brits diarm their loyalist mobs,
James

The chess board

by Playing for high stakes

Wed May 07, 2003 13:50

The IRA were not defeated militarily but the move to re write history has begun. Gerry Adams three statements in the one week I believe was a tactical mistake. It gave the governments and the unionists a sniff of weakness which they have and will exploit. Defeat now will be judged not in militarists terms but by how far they can make the IRA move and jump to their tune. A well worn tactic to claim victory in such a situation in the years ahead. Secondly by giving three statements to the tune of the unionists and British they will demand and believe that they can expect more and more and more with less and less and less in return. The IRA was clear and unambiguous in these statements on reading, yet this was not the real problem. That lay in the fact that the Unionists had taken a decision weeks prior that no matter what the IRA did they were not going for elections and they knew that they had Blairs backing. Therefore they knew that they could play hard ball which they did, they have pocketed the three statements which they will tell in the time ahead was played to their tune while they now have seemingly put the IRA on a backfoot and moving into a corner. What is interesting though is that such a part tactic {Government and Internal allies} in another international political context in the past was used before, as has many such tactics deployed here which have been learnt and tested elsewhere over generations, and with that one can then see the next, very possible move.

Tricolour Sectarian

by . - .

Wed May 07, 2003 13:54

By carrying a Tricolour you were disturbing ordinary protestants.

the lesser of 2 evils

by Cleo sugar

Wed May 07, 2003 14:26

Yes I prefer the ultimate justice of brit judicial system, brit security forces and MI5/FRU agents. I think the brit security forces were right to sanction, plan and instigate the murders of journalist Marty O hagan, solicitors Rosemary nelson, Pat Finucane and others in the interests of brit national security. I find it perfectly acceptable that brit security MI5 agents such as Johnny Adair, coco and company are able to pick off ordinary working class catholics/protestants like Gavin Brett, Gerard lawlor, and Danny mcColgan off the streets of north belfast, safe in the knowledge that Johnny Adair, Billy Wright and other MI5 brit security force agents will never ever be prosecuted and act with immunity in all aspects of their murderous smack dealing criminal careers because of their oaths of allegiance to HM crown forces. I believe that brit agents have the right to run brothels be they child sexual abuse prostitution brothels to collect data/photos of high profile members of the judiciary/police/establishment in order to secure the services/support of these influential alleged pillars of society in the future eg Kincora and lets not forget Vincent Mckenna chairman of the 'save the RUC' campaign. It is known that the NIO office hold files/photos of leading DUP politicians such as Ian Paisley from the kincora era/escapade. Brit security force agents/MI5/FRU/Special branch have the right to instigate, plan and activate wholescale murder of irish citizens, such as in the Omagh bomb, acting with immunity from prosecution because of their oaths of allegiance to the brit crown forces. Agents such as Kevin Fulton testifies he warned his Special branch handlers in advance of the bomb, made and planned by Agent A, a fellow FRU agent. The long list/record of human rights abuses, murder, sexual and physcial torture by brit security force agents and the dodgy murderous covert dealings of the Brit security force establishment, against the working class irish people make provies look like saints. My friend Marty O hagan was murdered by the LVF smack dealing associates of MI5 agent Billy wright, associates who like their comrade Billy wright were probably MI5 agents and more than likely working for the british government. Marty was by no means a republican, he was a danger to noone, he helped both working class protestants and catholics and he was liked by all who knew him. The day Marty died was the day I opened my eyes.

Personation and other shit

by as do many other British Police

Wed May 07, 2003 14:56

Suspect post attributed to BC - SP is someone personating. Please regulars help to combat this disruption of our open space.

Cleo S. - Have read your posts many times. It seems to me anyway you have good insight into street-level politics up there. A lot of us down here don't and it would make me for one more trusting of your contributions if you gave some sources and detail in them. Why not do some more elaborate articles for the site thru Editorial list?

Not me

by Brian Cahill - SP

Wed May 07, 2003 15:38

It is indeed. I did not post the above comments and would appreciate the editors removing them.

Citizen Joe, who can call themselves an army then?

by Eoin Dubsky

Wed May 07, 2003 15:40

Citizen Joe says above:
'Whose Army? You have no right to call yourselves the "Army".'

But who can call themselves an army then? Members of the Irish army are right at this minute protecting a US airbase at Shannon, and others are in Afghanistanistan working for the US CENTCOM and NATO. What business does anyone have training to kill and calling their rabble an "army"?

I'll glue your lips to tha floor...

by Big Ian

Wed May 07, 2003 18:02

...och, and aye, ya bunch of morderin lepracauns!

by I

Wed May 07, 2003 22:21

i don't like IRA, but one has to give credit where credit is due, one can's still claim they are psyhcos etc as used to be the case when conflict was horrific, they deserve fairness

One true army

by John

Thu May 08, 2003 09:19

There is only one true army in this country and it is the army that is raised and supported (very poorly though) by Dail Eireann and our constitution. No other army exists except an band of wanna-be cowboys calling them selves the IRA (A BAND OF BLOOD THRUST TERRORISTS) (Before you say anything I place all paramilitary groups in the North in the same boat).
The army have better things to be doing with their time than guarding Shannon, thats why they were no on guard there the night the spud plants arrived in. If they were they wouldn`t have got in never mind get near a runway. Remember one shot bang bang. You will never get up again. I should know I have been on duty their and we have pissed our selves at you all protesting, also the gardai and airport fire service say thanks for the overtime ;) :) :) :) :)

etc

by pat c

Thu May 08, 2003 09:59

john, the function of the one true army of the dail is to maintain capitalism, strike break, protect security vans, protect US planes at shannon.

if republicans are responsible for imitating brian cahill, then i would ask them to think again. whats it acheiving? the sp are losing arguments on other threads, get stuck in there. you are only gaining synpathy for them with these impersonations.

THE ARMY

by DECO

Fri May 09, 2003 19:49

THE IRA AND ITS SUPPORTERS CALL ITSELF THE ARMY FOR A NO OF REASONS
1. HISTORICAL: CIVIL WAR BLAH BLAH
2. SLANG: IRISH REPUBLICIAN ARMY - ARMY
3. JUSTIFICATION: WHEN THE RUC STARTED BURNING PEOPLE OUT OF THERE HOMES AND OUR STATE STOOD IDELLY BY AND NEGOTIATION WASN'T AN OPTION, WORKING CLASS CATHOLICS ORGANISED THEMSELFS INTO A CO-ORDINATED,TRAINED AND MILITARILY MOTIVATED ORGANISATION I.E ARMY

spywatcher

by closing in on stakeknife

Fri May 09, 2003 23:21

MI5 agent Martin Ingram revealed that LVF murderer and smack pusher Billy 'liar' wright was an MI5 agent and his colleague-Sunday People newspaper. Journalist Marty O Hagan was murdered by Billy Wrights LVF cohorts also MI5 agents to keep this info under wraps. Marty O Hagan had been investigating Billy Wright/LVF collusion with the RUC in Portadown. Marty O Hagan died trying to expose this link, which MI5 agent Martin Ingram confirmed. You would like to know what my connection to Marty O Hagan is, i'm not that stupid. We still live in very dangerous times, where people are murdered just because of what they stumble upon in the course of investigative journalism. Where journalists and their families are thrown in jail when they reveal illegal security force intelligence activities, even though the revelations are not in any way a threat to national security, but are of public interest.

The murky world of stakeknife

by speculative journalism or logical thinking

Fri May 09, 2003 23:39

We have a situation where in northern ireland almost every unionist/loyalist expresses the opionion that they are privy to the identity of Stakeknife. Amongst the loyalist community Stakeknifes identity seems to be no secret. Father of alleged brit spy and RAF soldier/loyalist murder victim Raymond McCord jnr, Raymond McCord snr has vowed to reveal Stakeknife's identity when he's elected. The only way Raymond McCord snr would have known stakeknife's identity is if his brit army spy son came into contact with Stakeknife during meetings with his handlers also Ray McCord jnr's handlers. Everyone from Davy trimble to Migel Dodds claims they know Stakeknife's identity.
Lets look at it another way, if Stakeknife really does exist. What if stakeknife sanctioned the murder of divis protestant Jean McConville. Jean was abducted and murdered after helping a brit soldier, what if the brit soldier whilst lying dying whispered the name of someone/former army colleague he recognised, whom he spotted amongst republicans in divis?? What if this person was stakeknife, a loyal brit army colleague, who had served with this soldier. What if Jean herself recognised stakeknife being a former member of the protestant community as it seems every one in the protestant community knows the identity of stakeknife. At the time of Jean McConville's disappearence, those suspected of being friendly/sympathetic with brit soldiers were put out of their homes or tarred and feathered, they were not abducted and murdered. There had to be another motive for Jean's murder amd this could have been it.

Number of comments per page

Upcoming Events

New Events

Other Press

User Preferences

Feeds

Blog Feeds

The Saker

Public Inquiry

Human Rights in Ireland

Lockdown Skeptics

Army Statements

Comments (17 of 17)