A new era ahead - Adams
2005-07-28 18:19
Dublin - The IRA's announcement on disarming marks the start of a "new era" for Northern Ireland, Gerry Adams - president of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA - told reporters in Dublin.
"There is a huge responsibility on us all to seize this opportunity," he said.
It left "no possible excuse" for the British and Irish governments not to put into effect the Good Friday agreement".
It also presented a "direct challenge" to the Democratic Unionist Party - the radical Protestant party of Ian Paisley - to "put the past behind them and make peace".
Adams warned that republicans should not be surprised at continued opposition to their goals, which remained "an end to British rule" in Northern Ireland, and "to make partition history".
The historic pledge by the IRA to lay down their arms and adopt peaceful means to end British rule in Northern Ireland took effect at 16:00 (15:00 GMT) on Thursday. - Sapa-dpa/ AFP
- SAPA