PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
Press Release
27 April 2006
Statement by Mitchell Reiss, U.S. Special Envoy for the Northern Ireland Peace Process on the release of the 10th Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission
The United States welcomes the latest report by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which found continuing evidence of the Provisional IRA leadership's commitment to following a political path and abandoning violence. This report further supports the positive trends over the past six months indicating that the Provisional IRA is taking the necessary steps in accordance with its commitments of July 28, 2005.
We are especially heartened by the IMC's conclusion that the leadership of both Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA has expended considerable effort to refocus the movement in support of a peaceful path.
We are also encouraged by the reported increased acceptance of policing in communities which have long been opposed to it, and we support the continuing efforts of the Northern Ireland Policing Service to encourage this.
We welcome the signs that the Provisional IRA seeks to deter criminal activity by its members. The rule of law is a basic requirement for every just society and a right and entitlement every citizen deserves.
We note with concern the ongoing violence and criminality by Loyalist paramilitary organizations. We call on the leadership of these organizations to renounce violence, decommission their weapons, and end criminality.
All paramilitary organizations must demonstrate their unequivocal commitment to the rule of law and the renunciation of all paramilitary and criminal activities in order for the full benefits of the Good Friday Agreement to be enjoyed by the entire population in Northern Ireland.
The United States remains steadfast in its support for the peace process and applauds the work of the British and Irish Governments to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation for the people of Northern Ireland under the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.
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