True to its word ~ at last. / And, yes: far better that Good Faith comes Late ~ than Never.
Joe Loy, guestblogging.
A report confirming that IRA decommissioning has been completed is to be given to the British and Irish governments on Monday.General John de Chastelain, head of the body overseeing the disarmament, is then expected to give a news conference with the two independent witnesses.
The churchmen who witnessed the process were Catholic priest Father Alex Reid and ex-Methodist president Harold Good.
Note: this Cross-community Clergy Witnessing business has been part of the Plan for several Years. It was proposed in lieu of public Photography, which the Boyoes :) ~ who see themselves as an Army Undefeated from 1916 even unto the present Day ~ always rejected as Humiliating & likely to be misconstrued as documentation of Surrender. / Here, however, is a BBC prurient Peek, presumably from File Footage. :)
The IRA announced an end to its armed campaign in July.The republican organisation said it would follow a democratic path ending more than 30 years of violence.
Statements are also expected on Monday from the IRA, both governments and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams…
Here’s the whole thing.
And ~ here is SF’s carefully-crafted advance Take:
Published: 25 September, 2005Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness, before he left Dublin after the all-Ireland football final, said he believes that Ireland stands on the cusp of a truly historic advance.
Mr. McGuinness said: “The IRA’s decision on July 28th to formally end its armed campaign has changed the political landscape in Ireland forever. I am confident that tomorrow will bring the final chapter on the issue of IRA arms.
“Of course, this is about more than arms. It is about the reviving the peace process, it is about the future of Ireland. And this places an enormous responsibility on the British and Irish governments to finally implement the Good Friday Agreement in all its aspects on issues like equality, human rights, policing, demilitarization and northern representation. It will also place a huge responsibility on the leadership of the DUP to re-engage in the political process….”
Yes, Martin. / And may I add, most gratefully ~ both for the long-past Heroism AND for the Present-day Realism ~ what I earnestly hope may become the Parade song of the Oglaigh na hEireann Commemorative Marching Society:
May Heaven keep the men who sleep
In the ranks of the Old Brigade.
|
Categories: Uncategorized
|
September 26th, 2005 at 11:28:41 am
That’s a great song, Joe. Captures the true sorrow of ireland’s sad history. There’s nothing romantic about getting blown up and leaving behind a wife and kids. Great step by the IRA, who have shown remarkable restraint the past few years in the face of increasing Protestant violence. Let’s hope the govt. is able to restore order and finally begin to implement all aspects of the Accords. That’s the best way to keep the IRA disarmed in the future.
“Don’t force us to protect ourselves” is basically their mantra these days.
September 26th, 2005 at 12:12:45 pm
The churchmen who witnessed the process were Catholic priest Father Alex Reid and ex-Methodist president Harold Good.
It’s not official ’til the Anglican bishop and Presbyterian minister say so. ;-)
September 26th, 2005 at 1:18:01 pm
I shall await Ian Paisley’s blessing, Herr Long…
September 26th, 2005 at 1:30:07 pm
Truly spoken, The Leahy. :) / I have that song from The Wolfetones (aka, the Traveling Entertainment Corps of the IRA :).
Andrew, you Saxon slut. ;> Actually, I was Pulling for the Free Presbyterian Pontiff ~ Paisley, Himself ;} ~ to be the Reformation’s representative at the furtive Festivities. :) This way here, see, yer Man couldna’ without Sin Deny the Proof that his own jaundiced Eye had seen & his smuggled Spycam had Snapped through the buttonhole beneath the Sash his Father Wore. :] Plus afterwards the Vatican’s saintly witness for peace, Fighting Father Feeney, could kick the ould bastard’s ass in lieu of prescribing a Penance. :) Alas, ’twas not to Be. ;>
September 26th, 2005 at 2:00:59 pm
An old fashioned clerical donnybrook.
Aye, those were the days, Joseph…
September 26th, 2005 at 3:32:44 pm
Joe - you of all folk in here (apart from Myself) should know that “saxon slut” is tautological, for anything to do with a sassenach !
You have to admit, tho, that both sides of the execrable executions in the North and Border areas had some really memorable tunes and lyrics … good blood-stirring stuff sadly used to support bad blood-spilling …
September 26th, 2005 at 4:52:02 pm
LOL, Coach & Alasdair! :)
“You have to admit, tho,…”
Yes I have to, and I do.