PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Press Release

02 February 2006
Statement by Mitchell Reiss, U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland

The Independent Monitoring Commission Report

The United States welcomes the latest report by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which shows a continuing downward trend in activities by the Provisional IRA and indications of potential progress on the part of loyalist paramilitaries. We are encouraged by the IMC's conclusion that the leadership of the Provisional IRA appears committed to end the armed campaign, foreswear terrorism, and restructure the IRA so that it is "no longer designed for terrorist activities." We hope these positive trends continue.

We share the IMC's concerns regarding ongoing criminality and intelligence gathering by the Provisional IRA, including for ostensibly political purposes. We look forward to the next IMC assessment on this issue in its April report.

The republican movement must demonstrate its unequivocal commitment to the rule of law and the renunciation of all paramilitary and criminal activities. We urge all parties to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The United States remains steadfast in its support for the peace process and the work of the British and Irish Governments - as well as the IMC - to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation for the people of Northern Ireland under the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.

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