FLASH: IRA ORDERS END TO ARMED CAMPAIGN

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The following is the full text of today's historic statement
by the Provisional IRA.
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The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an
end to the armed campaign.

This will take effect from 4pm this afternoon.

All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms. All Volunteers
have been instructed to assist the development of purely
political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful
means. Volunteers must not engage in any other activities
whatsoever.

The IRA leadership has also authorised our representative to
engage with the IICD to complete the process to verifiably put
its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public
confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible.

We have invited two independent witnesses, from the Protestant
and Catholic churches, to testify to this.

The Army Council took these decisions following an unprecedented
internal discussion and consultation process with IRA units and
Volunteers.

We appreciate the honest and forthright way in which the
consultation process was carried out and the depth and content
of the submissions. We are proud of the comradely way in which
this truly historic discussion was conducted.

The outcome of our consultations show very strong support among
IRA Volunteers for the Sinn Féin peace strategy.

There is also widespread concern about the failure of the two
governments and the unionists to fully engage in the peace
process. This has created real difficulties.

The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland fully support
this process.

They and friends of Irish unity throughout the world want to see
the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Notwithstanding these difficulties our decisions have been taken
to advance our republican and democratic objectives, including
our goal of a united Ireland. We believe there is now an
alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in our
country.

It is the responsibility of all Volunteers to show leadership,
determination and courage. We are very mindful of the sacrifices
of our patriot dead, those who went to jail, Volunteers, their
families and the wider republican base. We reiterate our view
that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate.

We are conscious that many people suffered in the conflict.
There is a compelling imperative on all sides to build a just
and lasting peace.

The issue of the defence of nationalist and republican
communities has been raised with us. There is a responsibility
on society to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of the
pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s.

There is also a universal responsibility to tackle sectarianism
in all its forms.

The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and
independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916
Proclamation.

We call for maximum unity and effort by Irish republicans
everywhere.

We are confident that by working together Irish republicans can
achieve our objectives.

Every Volunteer is aware of the import of the decisions we have
taken and all Óglaigh are compelled to fully comply with these
orders.

There is now an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the
considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the peace
process. This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives
is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to
bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland.

The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and
independence and to building the Republic outlined in the 1916
Proclamation.

Our decisions have been taken to advance our republican and
democratic objectives, including our goal of a united Ireland.

We believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and
to end British rule in our country."