SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT BY IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY THAT IT HAS COMMENCED DISARMAMENT

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT BY IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY

THAT IT HAS COMMENCED DISARMAMENT

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) that it has commenced disarmament.  This decision is a watershed in the history of Northern Ireland, and also addresses one of the critical challenges of post-conflict peacebuilding –- specifically, control over and the disposal of weapons.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties concerned to seize this unique opportunity to consolidate the Good Friday Agreement further, and on those who had left the process to re-enter Northern Ireland’s devolved government.

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