IRA told to quit armed struggle
2005-04-06 17:10
Belfast - Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams on Wednesday urged his party's military wing the IRA to take an "historic" decision to abandon the armed struggle and engage in the democratic political process in Northern Ireland.
Adams, the leader of the main Catholic party in Northern Ireland, said in a speech he had supported the Irish Republican Army in the past because there had been no choice but "now there is an alternative".
"The way forward is by building political support for republican and democratic objectives across Ireland and by winning support for these goals internationally," he said.
"I want to use this occasion therefore to appeal to the leadership of (IRA) to fully embrace and accept this alternative," Adams said.
"Can you take (a) courageous initiative which will achieve your aims by purely political and democratic activity?" Adams asked.
"I know well that this truly historic decision can only be taken in the aftermath of intense internal consultation," Adams said. "I ask that you initiate this as quickly as possible."
Adams said it was now time for IRA militants to proceed "not as volunteers risking life and limb but as activists in a national movement toward independence and unity".
The IRA has come under intense pressure to disband since it was accused of being behind a spectacular pre-Christmas bank robbery in Belfast and several of its members were linked to the January murder of Robert McCartney, a local Catholic man.
McCartney's five sisters and fiancée, who have waged a high-profile campaign to bring his killers to justice, allege that the IRA has intimidated witnesses into staying silent about the murder, carried out before dozens of people in a crowded bar.
Twelve men have been arrested in connection with the case before being released without charge.