Republican News · Thursday 25 April 2002

IRA reiterates Colombia position

The following statement was received from the leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann on Wednesday, 24 April

"In recent days the issue of the arrest of three Irishmen in Colombia has been used again in an intensive way by opponents of the peace process in Ireland and Britain, in an attempt to undermine and subvert the democratic peace process

This is a very serious matter indeed. We therefore feel compelled to respond and reiterate our position on this matter. We wish to make clear that:

The Army Council sent no one to Colombia to train or engage in any military cooperation with any group.

The IRA has not interfered in the internal affairs of Colombia and will not do so.

The IRA is fully committed to a successful outcome of the Irish peace process.

The threat to that process does not come from the IRA."

P O'Neill
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau
Dublin