Republican News · Thursday 25 October 2001

Seize the Time

IRA liberates peace process

The IRA this week made a courageous and momentous move "to save the peace process and to persuade others of our genuine intentions" by putting arms beyond use.

The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann took this decision, like its decision to call a cessation in 1994 and all its other initiatives throughout the Irish Peace Process, from a position of strength.

As its statement avows, the undefeated People's Army has now put it up to "those within the British establishment and the leadership of unionism who are fundamentally opposed to change".

There are many republicans who have genuine and deep-seated worries. These concerns are valid, especially given the previous failures on the part of the British government and the unionists to stand by commitments made.

But only the IRA was brave enough to act decisively to save the process and the new future it promises.

That future will be a united Ireland. Republicans will see to that. The road to liberation is mapped out. It is a road the IRA is confident to take.

The British government and Tony Blair must now play their part and finally live up to the commitments made in the Good Friday Agreement back in 1998.

The future for this island is too important to be left to political parties. It is up to each of us to play our part in the struggle, now as much as at any point during the last 30 years.

This is a time for republicans to remember what we have achieved, to be acutely aware that there is no going backwards, and to use our ever-increasing political strength to bring about Irish unity.