SURELY we should all be welcoming the IRA statement of 4pm on July 28, that their armed struggle is over, their men are to lay down their guns and all IRA recruits now agree to the Sinn Fein method of gaining political power via peaceful means.
Cynicism breeds negativity. At some point we must give the IRA a chance - just as was done with ANC terrorists, communists in Eastern Europe after 1989, the Viet Cong, Fascist Italians, National Socialists and other extreme groups once they agreed to a change of policy and actions - but not before!
The Loyalist Para-Militaries have not made any offer to de-commission. In the distant past the IRA word meant very little, but let us hope that this new failure is a "deferred success".
David Quarrie,
Linden Way,
Acomb, York.
Updated: 09:41 Tuesday, August 02, 2005
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