28-07-2005 21:09									#1
	IRA to lay down arms Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

This needs a thread.

BBC Story

There'll still be trouble, but this is definitely a turning point.

	28-07-2005 21:31									#2
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Yeh, it seems that the IRA finally is looking at the demographic situation of NI and finding that violence is an inferior tool to democracy for their purposes.

	28-07-2005 21:38									#3
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it's about damn time

that said, we need to keep up the pressure on them to give up their weapons, and try to stop them carrying on simply as a criminal organisation.

	28-07-2005 21:42									#4
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nm, I thought it said NRA, not IRA

Last edited by Japher on 28-07-2005 at 21:53

	28-07-2005 21:56									#5
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Didn't they promise to disarm when Tony Boy recognized sein fein or whatever it's called?

	28-07-2005 21:59									#6
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Well, it's looking pretty good this time. The situation can only improve if they disarm, even if some parts of IRA will do it only half-assedly.

	28-07-2005 23:06									#7
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It's great that the IRA has made this announcement, but it is easier said than done. Whether the IRA members will be able to stop being violent is another matter.

	29-07-2005 02:33									#8
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Finally IRA understands that the fight for freedom doesn´t excuse terrorism. But it remains to be seen if this is for real...

	29-07-2005 02:36									#9
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A very good thing.

	29-07-2005 03:25									#10
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Given past behaviour, forgive me for reacting to this with a bit of cynicism. These are words on paper; I'll wait to see something concrete before believing this. They've offered to give up their arms, but I don't see them too willing to give back the £26.5 million they stole at Christmas. It would do nicely as compensation money for the families of all those innocent people they've killed.

It seems that they intend to seize all activity, so why aren't they announcing they're disbanding altogether if they have no purpose anymore? Are we expected to believe that the IRA will metamorphisize into an old comrade's association or a tiddlywinks team?

But hey, hopefully I'm just paranoid and they actually mean it this time.

	29-07-2005 03:34									#11
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quote: Are we expected to believe that the IRA will metamorphisize into an old comrade's association or a tiddlywinks team?

sure why not? they could form a football team as well

	29-07-2005 03:36									#12
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i love the choice of words from BBC

quote: During the Northern Ireland Troubles, the IRA murdered about 1,800 civilians and members of the security forces.

"Troubles", "murdered".....

	29-07-2005 03:37									#13
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1800?

	29-07-2005 03:40									#14
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Just 1800? Meh, that´s nothing compared to the millions of people who have died in the quest for american world domination...

	29-07-2005 03:42									#15
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how many irish have been murdered during the "Northern Ireland Troubles"?

	29-07-2005 03:51									#16
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edit. cold joke. ignore

	29-07-2005 03:52									#17
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Well it's about time.

What are the bets on how long this will last?

	29-07-2005 03:55									#18
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quote: Originally posted by MarkG i love the choice of words from BBC quote: During the Northern Ireland Troubles, the IRA murdered about 1,800 civilians and members of the security forces. "Troubles", "murdered".....

Am I being whooshed here? You know that their proper name IS "the Troubles", right?

	29-07-2005 04:46									#19
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mark g don't know **** :/

	29-07-2005 05:05									#20
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quote: Originally posted by Dr Zoidberg Just 1800? Meh, that´s nothing compared to the millions of people who have died in the quest for american world domination...

Just grin and bear it, Zoidberg. We're doing it for your own damn good. Feel free to resist, though, as we really like to shoot at stuff.

Oh, and to the IRA. About time, you murdering f*cks.

	29-07-2005 13:23									#21
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around 3500 died since 1969 because of the troubles 60% killed by repiblicans, 30% by loyalists( I hate that term) whoch preumably leaves 10% to the british forces/police.

	29-07-2005 13:39									#22
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well i'm cautiously opptimistic - and on the face of it great news. So a big for the people who made this come about.
We need good news like this in our brave new world.

Now lets get the neo-cons+muslim fanatics to do the same and i can rest easy knowing my kids will arrive in a much better world

	29-07-2005 13:44									#23
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Of course the IRA started on this course in 1993 with their 1st ceasefire because militarily they were on the verge of defeat

	29-07-2005 13:47									#24
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As always, it's women that forced the change.

	29-07-2005 15:41									#25
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quote: Originally posted by MarkG i love the choice of words from BBC quote: During the Northern Ireland Troubles, the IRA murdered about 1,800 civilians and members of the security forces. "Troubles", "murdered".....

They're known as the Troubles over here, it's not just B.B.C. speak.

	29-07-2005 17:03									#26
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quote: Originally posted by TheStinger Of course the IRA started on this course in 1993 with their 1st ceasefire because militarily they were on the verge of defeat

Actually, it was the fact that the British government was finally willing to negotiate without the precondition that the IRA surrender first. The IRA had several times previously tried to negotiate an end to the settlement. The answer was always the same, lay down your arms first, then we'll negotiate. If the IRA surrendered, what would there be to negotiate?

Since the peace has held, and the government largely adhered to the peace treaty, the IRA can now feel safe in disarming, that there won't be a need to resume the armed struggle.

Remember, it was the Loyalists and the British government that started the war.

	29-07-2005 17:08									#27
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quote: Originally posted by ajbera Just grin and bear it, Zoidberg. We're doing it for your own damn good. Feel free to resist, though, as we really like to shoot at stuff.

Nah, I´ve given up on humanity. We´re all doomed anyway, might as well go with the flow...

	29-07-2005 17:19									#28
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quote: Originally posted by chegitz guevara Actually, it was the fact that the British government was finally willing to negotiate without the precondition that the IRA surrender first. The IRA had several times previously tried to negotiate an end to the settlement. The answer was always the same, lay down your arms first, then we'll negotiate. If the IRA surrendered, what would there be to negotiate? Since the peace has held, and the government largely adhered to the peace treaty, the IRA can now feel safe in disarming, that there won't be a need to resume the armed struggle. Remember, it was the Loyalists and the British government that started the war.

Actually, the IRA strated putting out feelers in the late 80's because they were being beaten, there internal security was completely compromised and despite occasional "sucesses" they were being fustrated in their ability to mount operations. The UK govt though at first did not want to be seen to be talking to terrorists, it is great credit to John Major(not often you can say that) that he was prepared to open talks. However the British govt would never have allowed Sinn Fein into govt if the IRA were still bombing. As the armed actions wern't working and hadn't for 25 years thay stopped.

As to the point about loyalists and the UK govt starting the war, if you check your history the UK 1st sent troops in the 60's to protect nationalist communities from loyalists. The British govt are at fault over many things during the history of Ireland (bioth old and recent) however thay didn't blow up a parade to commeorate the fight aginst nazism.

By the way loyalist gunmen are thugs and drug runners and I certainly hold no sympathy for them or indeed Paisle'sy branch of Unionism

	29-07-2005 17:23									#29
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quote: Originally posted by TheStinger The British govt are at fault over many things during the history of Ireland (bioth old and recent) however thay didn't blow up a parade to commeorate the fight aginst nazism.

No, they just opened fire on a peaceful demonstration. That was the incident that caused the IRA to once again take up arms.

The IRA first tried to negotiate in the mid 70s, btw. There were several lulls in the fighting over the long period of the Troubles, so it's disingenous to say they only came to the table because they were being beaten. Hell, if they were being beaten, why would the British have deigned to negotiate? I don't doubt that much of what you say is true, but the IRA had been waiting at the table long before the late 80s.

	29-07-2005 17:27									#30
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The IRA had just carried out the bombings known as bloody Friday, which IIRC was 19 bombs in 24 hours so they were a little bit active before bloody sunday, which was a dreadful day.