IRA says armed campaign is over

[ATG]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4720863.stm

[968]

ATG said:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4720863.stm

let's hope so eh?

[Eric Mc]

Probably they've run out of bullets.

[JagLover]

To some extent I will believe it when I see it, with full scale decommissioning of weapons.

I am struck by an irony, the IRA formally ends it's war against Britain, just as another, by Muslim terrorists begins.

[C C]

Lets hope this is a genuine step in the right direction. Then perhaps Major, Livingston and Blair etc will be vindicated for their farsighted negotiations.

[Eric Mc]

Maybe the IRA have decided that the current environment for suspected terrorists is not a healthy one.

In fact, compared to the current incarnation of the genre, the IRA are beginning to look decidedly "cuddly".

[Tuna]

Let's hope this stays in place - it's a step in the right direction.

Now, perhaps some of the pundits can work out how the Irish terrorist campaign was ended, and what (if anything) can be applied to the Al Qaeda campaign.

>> Edited by Tuna on Thursday 28th July 13:18

[JagLover]

Eric Mc said:

In fact, compared to the current incarnation of the genre, the IRA are beginning to look decidedly "cuddly".

I wouldn't go that far, 'rational' is how I would put it.

[Wacky Racer]

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, although most of the problems in Northern Island at the moment seem to centre round turf wars between rival loyalist factions...

[C C]

JagLover said:

Eric Mc said: In fact, compared to the current incarnation of the genre, the IRA are beginning to look decidedly "cuddly". I wouldn't go that far, 'rational' is how I would put it.

Well they did at least have an almost tangible agenda.
The objective of recent Islamists events is lost amongst a clamour of anti Israeli, Western, and Christian ranting.

[chim_knee]

Probably because they realise that an attack by them won't get the column inches it used to - that honour belongs to another faction now.

Still, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I hope it's true.

[steviebee]

Eric Mc said:

Probably they've run out of bullets.

Spot on!

Not long after 9/11, a security analyst was on the radio talking about the harm the attacks would have on the IRA from their US supporters - supporters who had until then never realised what terrorism actually was. When it happened in their back yard, they suddenly realised what sort of thing they've been funding all these years.

Added to which, the level of terror the IRA were able to yield pales into insignificance compared this current lot.

No support. No money. No way of making a big impact any more.

[dieseljohn]

Could it be anything to do with the fact that americans are not as inclined to fund terrorism these days now that they've seen it first hand. Also the IRA has diversified quite successfully into organised crime I think.

[JonRB]

If I were being cynical (moi?) I would posulate that the current heightened awareness of terrorist activities and anti-terrorist measures have made it unviable and/or counter-productive for the IRA to continue their campaign using terrorism. Thus, in an excercise of damage limitation, they've decided to hold their hands up and say "not us, guv".

This is just a snap judgement / comment made on the thread so far and without reading the BBC article though.

Edit: And, in fact, without reading the whole thread either, it seems. Sorry about that. Still, at least it shows that several of us have come to the same conclusion independently, eh?

>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 28th July 13:47

[JMGS4]

Hopefully they'll (for the first time ever) do what they say without using politician speak to get around what they say. I just hope there'll be no "Real IRA" emergence who will say that the present ones are not "speaking for the people"!!!
Cynical moi? just listening to reality, BUT when they hopefullly DO actually get rid of any arms and PROVE they're peaceful this will be a HUGE step forward!!!
Hopefully the start of something good!! Mind you the Paisley and others bunch have now got to get their druggy, illegal betting synidicates, whorerunning, armsrunning operations out of operation as well!!!

[semtex73]

The statement doesn't take account of the break-away factions such as the Real IRA and INLA. It seems to me that it's easy for the likes of Adams to announce that the IRA have ceased their violent activites, and when the next attrocity occurs simply blaming it on a different group, over whom they supposedly have no control. In the meantime they no doubt hope that the Sinn Fein coffers will once more start filling with dollars, now that they are once more seen as more 'friendly' by their American cousins.

>> Edited by semtex73 on Thursday 28th July 13:54

[C C]

JMGS4 said:

Hopefully the start of something good!! Mind you the Paisley and others bunch have now got to get their druggy, illegal betting synidicates, whorerunning, armsrunning operations out of operation as well!!!

Good grief I find myself in agreement with JMGS4.

[bor]

steviebee said:

Added to which, the level of terror the IRA were able to yield pales into insignificance compared this current lot.

That's not quite true, Steve, but we'll leave that for another day, walls have ears etc.

This is a HUGELY significant and long awaited announcement. It's not necessary to view it as an altruistic gesture. PIRA are now judged to be a hindrance to Sinn Fein's political aspirations which is the main reason for shutting it down.

Decommisioning of weapons is in practical terms, irrelevant. But it is a hugely symbolic event for both Nationalists and Unionists. At first glance it doesn't go far enough in my opinion. I had hoped for an unconditional, complete disarmment and shutdown of the organisation, as I think the responsibility really lies with Sinn Fein to go the extra mile to convince the Unionists that this is genuine.

Never the less, very positive news.

[JMGS4]

C C said:

Good grief I find myself in agreement with JMGS4.

You don't mean to say that I'm outspoken, do you??? Peace, brother........ something we can't get enough of....

[sadoksevoli]

While the sentiment is commendable, will the scores of people dependent on drug-dealing, extortion and other illegal activities, backed up by access to illegal arms really be able to say "ok, show me to the nearest jobcentre" ?

At least hopefully they won't have tacit backing from Sinn Fein/IRA but just like Muslims saying they want to root out terrorists amongst them, Sinn Fein announcements need to backed up by deeds and full cooperation with the police to render Northern Ireland a safer, prosperous and civilised society.