h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Irish Republican Army IRA has announced they intend to put all their weapons beyond use. Does this mean that the political head has managed to direct the military body tpwards what is truely important and to establish a peaceful way forward for all the people of Ireland. I wait an hope with baited breathe to see where this leads.

Following is the full text of the IRA's statement:

"The leadership of the IRA is committed to a just and lasting peace. We have sustained that commitment despite the abuse of the peace process by those who persist with the aim of defeating the IRA and Irish Republicanism.

"Republicans believe that the British Government claim to a part of Ireland, its denial of national self determination to the people of the island of Ireland, the partition of our country and the maintenance of social and economical inequality in the Six Counties are the root causes of conflict.

"The maintenance of our cessation is our contribution to the peace process and to the creation of a future in which the causes of conflict are resolved by peaceful means. For our part the IRA leadership is committed to resolving the issue of arms.

"The political responsibility for advancing the current situation rests with the two governments, especially the British government, and the leadership of the political parties.

"The full implementation, on a progressive and irreversible basis by the two governments, especially the British government, of what they have agreed will provide a political context in an enduring political process with the potential to remove the causes of conflict and in which Irish Republicans and Unionists can as equals pursue our respective political objectives peacefully.

"In that new context the IRA leadership will initiate a process that will completely and verifiably put IRA arms beyond use. We will do it in such a way as to avoid risk to the public and misappropriation by others and ensure maximum public confidence.

"We will resume contact with the IICD (Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) and enter into further discussion with the commission on the basis of the IRA leadership's commitment to resolving the issue of arms.

"We look to the two governments and especially the British government to fulfil their commitment under the Good Friday Agreement and the joint statement.

"To facilitate the speedy and full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the government's measures, our arms are silent and secure. There is no threat to the peace process from the IRA.

"In this context the IRA leadership has agreed to put in place within weeks a confidence building measure to confirm that our weapons remain secure. The contents of a number of arms dumps will be inspected by agreed third parties who will report that they have done so to the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. The dumps will be reinspected regularly to ensure that the weapons have remained secure."

by god, you must wake up terribly early in the morning.

Meaning what?

I couldn't sleep Sunday night/Monday morning, plus I had an application to e-mail off by noon. So that particular day yes I was up early. Normally 6:30 GMT or BST though.