Irish Republican News · January 5, 2004

IRA blames British for lack of progress

In its New Year statement, the IRA has said the British government is mainly to blame for the lack of progress in recent months.

The leadership of the mainstream IRA said they had kept their word in October's agreed sequence of events -- intended to revive the 1998 Good Friday Agreement -- with a third act of putting arms beyond use.

``This involved the largest amount of arms to date.

``After that the sequence was put on hold. Since then the two governments have not honoured their part of it.

``Consequently there has been no progress on a range of issues involved.

``The British Government carries the premier responsibility for that. Its failure to deliver is of deep concern.''

The IRA said its unilateral actions had helped keep the peace process alive.

``During the past year we have again demonstrated our readiness to facilitate progress in a clear and meaningful manner.''

``The leadership of the IRA have kept their word and fulfilled their commitments. Others must do the same.''

`REAL IRA' STATEMENT

Meanwhile, the breakaway group known as the `Real IRA' also issued a New year statement at what it said was ``a difficult time for Republicanism''.

It said ``the volunteer soldiers of Oglaigh na hEireann'' had shown ``uncompromising loyalty to the values of Irish Republicanism'' despite an ``onslaught'' by an anti-republican alliance.

``This alliance including Free State quislings and so-called Constitutional Nationalists are at the forefront of attempts to internalize the conflict in the occupied six counties.

``Led by British Imperialism they continue to promote the obscenity of partition, therefore denying the people of Ireland the right to self-determination.''

The group said the causes of conflict remain in place, and called for the the British to declare their intention to withdraw from the Six Counties.

``Only by remaining steadfast and true to these principles can we lay the foundation stones for the Socialist Republic envisaged by the men and women of 1916.

``Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.''

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