Republican News · Thursday 17 April 2003

IRA Easter Message

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The following statement was received by An Phoblacht on Wednesday, 16 April.

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"The leadership of óglaigh na héireann extends fraternal greetings to republican activists, supporters and friends at home and abroad.

On this, the 87th anniversary of the Easter Rising, we commemorate all of those who have given their lives for Irish freedom.

We extend solidarity to the families of our fallen comrades. In particular, we extend our solidarity to the family of our comrade, Volunteer Keith Rogers, who died while defending his community in Cullaville on 12 March.

We extend solidarity to our imprisoned comrades and their families.

We commend the commitment and discipline of the Volunteers of óglaigh na héireann.

We remain committed to our republican objectives, the establishment of an Irish Republic, as outlined in the Proclamation of 1916.

The root cause of conflict in Ireland is partition and the denial of self-determination to the people of Ireland.

All parties to the conflict have a role to play in bringing conflict to an end.

For our part, we have demonstrated our commitment to creating a just and lasting peace through the maintenance of our cessation and through a number of significant initiatives.

It is not possible, at this moment, to give a definitive comment on ongoing developments.

On Sunday 13 April, an Army statement said that we had shared concepts and draft elements on a range of issues with the British and Dublin governments. We gave our attitude on:

• the current disposition of óglaigh na héireann 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.

We also made it clear that we had then closed on a statement after internal consultation.

The following day a finalised statement was passed to the two governments.

We stand ready to issue that statement in due course.

We continue to monitor events very closely.

There has been much anger and annoyance among republicans at the media spins and leaks over recent days that have attempted to misrepresent our position.

We know that the majority of republicans have not seen the statement that was passed to the two governments.

We ask people to remain patient. We know that republicans will understand the sensitivities of the current situation.

We will speak for ourselves at the appropriate time.

This is a period for republicans to remain resolute.

The onus remains on the two governments and the political parties to fulfil their obligations and commitments."

P O'Neill
Irish Republican Publicity Bureau
Dublin