For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 28, 2005
Statement on U.S. Response to IRA Statement
We welcome today's IRA statement pledging "an end to the armed campaign."
This is an important and potentially historic statement.
Consistent with the IRA's commitment to "the development of purely
political and democratic programs through exclusively peaceful means" and
to "not engage in any other activities whatsoever," we understand that the
IRA and its members will no longer have any contact with any foreign
paramilitary and terrorist organizations.
This IRA statement must now be followed by actions demonstrating the
republican movement's unequivocal commitment to the rule of law and to the
renunciation of all paramilitary and criminal activities. We understand
that many, especially victims and their families, will be skeptical. They
will want to be certain that this terrorism and criminality are indeed
things of the past. The Independent International Commission on
Decommissioning and the Independent Monitoring Commission will play an
important role in assisting the governments to verify that the commitments
outlined in today's statement are fully implemented and sustained on the
ground.
President Bush salutes Prime Minister Blair and the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie
Ahern, for their leadership on this issue. The United States remains
steadfast in its support for the peace process and continues to work
closely with the British and Irish Governments to achieve lasting peace and
reconciliation for the people of Northern Ireland under the principles of
the Good Friday Agreement.
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