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IRA Says Foreign Observers Have Inspected Its Arms Dumps
The international independent inspectors have visited Irish Republican Army (IRA) arms dumps for a second time, the IRA said in a statement Thursday.
The independent international inspectors Martti Ahtisaari and Cyril Ramaphosa had been given access to the arms dumps.
The announcement came as British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Northern Ireland for crucial talks with political leaders designed to put the faltering peace process back on track.
In its statement, the IRA said allowing inspectors access to its arsenal, "represents clear and irrefutable evidence of the IRA's commitment to a just and equitable peace settlement."
The first inspection took place in June, when former Finnish President Ahtisaari, and former General Secretary of the African National Congress Ramaphosa, were taken on a tour of IRA arms dumps.
The IRA said Thursday it was honoring its commitments to the peace process, and expected Unionists and the British government to do the same.
"It is not the responsibility of the IRA alone to enhance the peace process. Others must also play their part," said the statement.
Downing Street welcomed the inspection. "We and the Irish government understand from the... commission that a second inspection of IRA dumps has now taken place, that they have received a report to that effect from President Ahtisaari and Cyril Ramaphosa," a spokesman said.
"The commission will be reporting in writing to the governments later today and that report will be published."
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