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Welcome for demilitarisation start

Commenting on Peter Hain's announcement, on 1 August, that the British Government has put in place a comprehensive plan for demilitarisation in the Six Counties, Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy said, the party wanted the demilitarisation of the North to be completed as soon as possible. "Sinn Féin wants a speedy and comprehensive end to the military occupation of the North," he said.

Photo: Demilitarisation imminent

Plan for demilitarisation outlined

This paper provides the updated version of the normalisation programme which was promised in the British Government's statement 28 July. The steps which will be undertaken in a normalisation programme assuming an enabling environment is created and maintained will be as follows:

Photo: Gerry Adams MP and Bairbre de Brúin MEP at Davis watchtower

McGuinness welcomes IRA statement

Speaking in Washington on Thursday last Martin McGuinness gave his response to the historic IRA statement: "I warmly welcome today's statement and to commend the IRA for this decisive initiative. It contains the potential to unlock the political stalemate that has frozen the Irish Peace Process and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Photo: Martin McGuinness speaking in Washington

Hugely positive international reaction

Last week's historic statement by Oglaigh n héireann was headline news across the world and elicited enthusiastic responses from political leaders and friends of Ireland internationally. The overwhelming majority of reactions were positive and warmly welcoming.

Photo: Francis Wurtz President of GUE-NGL at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Positive and enthusiastic US response

On Wednesday 27 July a Sinn Féin delegation, including the party's Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness and US representative Rita O'Hare, travelled to the United States. An Phoblacht's John McClure accompanied them on a remarkable 48-hour visit.

Photo: Martin McGuinness MP in the USA

Dempsey orders offshore pipeline to proceed

Minister for Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey, on Monday of this week ordered Shell to dismantle the pipeline it has illegally constructed in County Mayo. Then on Tuesday 2 August, Dempsey following his much publicised order to Shell, gave his consent to the multinational to start laying the 92kms offshore, under sea, pipeline through which it plans to bring raw gas to the shore through Broadhaven Bay.

Photo: Gerry Adams MP and Arthur Morgan TD marching for the Rossport 5 to be released

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