Things just may be looking up in Great Britain… Today the I.R.A. announced an end to its use of violence as a mechanism of change. From today’s New York Times (I.R.A. Renounces Violence in Potentially Profound Shift):

“The Irish Republican Army today declared an end to its campaign of violence against Britain that claimed more than 3,500 lives over 36 years in an effort to unify Northern Ireland with the Irish Republic.

“…The statement [released on DVD to reporters] by the IRA said that its leadership had ‘formally ordered an end to the armed campaign,’ as the organization calls its military activities, which are described by supporters as armed struggle and by adversaries as terrorism.”

I think all eyes will be honed on the group to see if they live up to their new paradigm. I couldn’t help but focus on the use of “Potentially” in the article’s title. Either way, making a commitment such as this is a huge step forward.

I’d like to put my own skepticism aside and trust that the I.R.A.’s intentions and efforts will hold true. If so, let this serve as an example of a step forward for democracy and peaceful resolution of differences. For now, I’ll take Gerry Adams at his word:

“There is a time for peace. There is a time for justice. There is a time for rebuilding. This is that time. This is the era of the nation-builders.”

TAGS: IRA | democracy | peace | terrorism | Ireland | Great Britain

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