04 October 2006
Statement by U.S. Special Envoy Ambassador Mitchell Reiss following the 12th Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission
The United States welcomes today’s very encouraging report by the Independent Monitoring Commission. We are particularly heartened by the Commission’s conclusions that the IRA “is now firmly set on a political strategy, eschewing terrorism and other forms of crime.” This report, combined with previous Commission findings, confirms that the IRA has undertaken to do what it said it would.
We also note the Commission’s finding that the Sinn Fein “leadership has accepted the need for engagement in policing and wishes to achieve it.” We are hopeful this can be accomplished as soon as possible.
These positive conclusions should help clear the way for serious discussions on power sharing during the all-party talks in Scotland next week. We urge Northern Ireland’s political leaders to seize this important opportunity to reach a lasting political settlement.
Despite the positive aspects of the Report, we remain concerned that paramilitary and criminal activity among dissident republicans and some loyalist elements continues to be a security threat. Such activity has no place in a democratic society.
The U.S. government commends the IMC for its tireless efforts on behalf of peace in Northern Ireland.
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