``Our Guns Are Silent'' - IRA
In a statement issued by Oglaigh na hÉireann to An
Phoblacht on Wednesday, 31 March, the IRA reiterated
its commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace in Ireland. The
following is the full text of the statement received. See also pages
8 and 9.
The leadership of Oglaigh na hÉireann extends fraternal greetings to
republican activists, supporters and friends at home and abroad and
thanks them for their continued assistance.
On this the 83rd anniversary of the Easter Rising we commemorate all
those who have given their lives for Irish Freedom. Without their
efforts and sacrifice the current opportunity for a just resolution
to the conflict would not exist.
We send solidarity greetings to our comrades in Ireland and the USA.
We applaud the continuing steadfast commitment of the Volunteers of
Oglaigh na hÉireann to the cause of Irish Freedom.
We reaffirm our commitment to our objectives, a united and
independent Ireland, a national democracy, the achievement of which
offers, we believe, the best guarantee of the establishment of a just
and lasting peace. The IRA wants to see a permanent peace in this
country.
We wholeheartedly support the efforts to secure a lasting resolution
to the conflict. In our view the conflict is caused by British
involvement in Irish affairs and by the injustices perpetuated by
unionist misrule since partition over 75 years ago.
Over the past five years, we have called and maintained two prolonged
cessations of military operations to enhance the democratic process
and underline our definitive commitment to its success. We have
contributed in a real and meaningful way to the creation of a climate
which would facilitate the search for a durable peace settlement. IRA
guns are silent.
Previously we described the Good Friday Agreement as a significant
development and have waited patiently for evidence of its potential
to deliver tangible progress. For the past 12 months progress towards
its implementation has been blocked. The ongoing year long siege of
the nationalist community of Portadown, escalated loyalist attacks at
critical points over the past year and continuing evidence of
collusion are indicators of opposition to a democratic peace
settlement. This opposition must be overcome.
The potential of the peace process to deliver real and lasting peace
lies in its ability to bring meaningful change, to remove the
injustices which created the conflict and to end the conflict itself.
If the political will exists the peace process contains the
potential to resolve the conflict and deliver a durable peace.
Injustices which are direct consequences of the conflict must also be
addressed. Towards this end we announced earlier this week, the
outcome of our investigation into the location of the burial sites of
a number of people executed by Oglaigh na hÉireann more than 20 years
ago. This was a sincere attempt to do all within our power to rectify
an injustice for which we accept full responsibility.
The challenge for everyone, but particularly the British government,
remains the removal of the causes of conflict in our country.
P. O'Neill
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