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IRA Gives Up Armed Campaign

2005-7-29 3:01:50 CRIENGLISH.com

The Irish Republican Army or the IRA announced on Thursday that it would abandon its armed campaign and follow a democratic framework to revive Northern Ireland's peace process.

The IRA said it had ordered all of its clandestine units to cease all activities, effective 1500GMT, but would not formally disband.

In a statement, the outlawed group appealed to Britain and Northern Ireland's Protestant majority to accept its new position as sufficient to renew negotiations on power-sharing.

Protestant leaders, deeply suspicious of IRA motives, warned in advance they would wait several months to test whether the IRA's words proved true.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed the IRA’s announcement ending its armed campaign, saying it’s a step of "unparalleled magnitude"

"I welcome the statement of the IRA that ends its campaign; I welcome its clarity; I welcome the recognition that the only route to political change lies in exclusively peaceful and democratic means. This is a step of unparalleled magnitude in the recent history of Northern Ireland.”

He also demanded that the disposal of IRA weapons must take place as soon as possible.

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