“THE IRA is today expected to deliver its long-sought commitment to finally end its criminal and paramilitary activity and complete the decommissioning of arms.
Hopes rose following the temporary release last night of Shankill bomber Sean Kelly, who was returned to jail by Northern Secretary Peter Hain over a month ago. His release is seen as a significant development in ensuring the IRA goes ahead with its statement.
The IRA statement ending its campaign from four o'clock today was read aloud by former republican prisoner Seanna Walsh.
He said the Provisionals were ordering all volunteers to dump arms and comply with its decision to end its armed campaign.The statement was also unambiguous about total decommissioning: "The IRA leadership has also authorised a representative to engage with the IACD to complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which would fully 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."
Mr Ahern said yesterday the peace process could undergo "enormous change" if the IRA commits itself to ending all criminal and paramilitary activity.
The statement is expected to confirm that the IRA will no longer operate as an illegal army and will end all links with paramilitarism and criminality.
There are also concerns that the winding down of the IRA will result in the medium term in the emergence of local crime gangs as Provisional activists drift away and turn to making a career in ordinary crime.
The IRA must also produce a formula on the verification of decommissioning that will meet the demands of the Unionist parties.
And it must sign up to a crucial phrase which it refused to accept last December which recognises that it cannot endanger anybody's rights or safety. This would mean an end to all kneecappings, beatings and the exiling of any citizen from the North.
Speaking at press conference this afternoon, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said today's development provided an opportunity for every nationalist and republican. Reacting to the IRA's declaration that they would put all arms beyond use, Mr. Adams said it was now time to seize the moment and make Irish freedom a reality: "I would urge all Irish nationalists, republicans and others, including those who have shown such commitment as volunteers in the IRA to put their undoubted talents and energies into building a new Ireland."
Irish Independent http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/
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