Northern Ireland
Statement by Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland
14 November 2007
Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, said:
"While the U.S. Government is pleased the Ulster Defense Association (UDA) has publicly renounced violence, it is also time for groups who have not yet decommissioned to do so as soon as possible. With peace now having been achieved, there is no valid reason for any group to maintain its weaponry.
In this light, we also welcome statements by Northern Ireland's political leaders in condemning recent attacks on police officers. Political progress in Northern Ireland cannot be held back by such acts of violence or the threat of violence."