Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Congressman Crowley Applauds IRA Statement Announcing "All Military Activity Ended and Political Solution the Only Answer"

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Chief Deputy Whip and Co-Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Ireland joined a bi-partisan group of colleagues in announcing his support for the IRA announcement ordering an end to the armed campaign.

"As the son of an Irish immigrants and someone who has spent my life committed to the Irish peace process, today represents a momentous step forward for the people of the north of Ireland. This next courageous step signifies that the fight against British rule is over and the next challenges will be fought in the political arena. I commend the members of the IRA and the leaders of Sinn Fein for their commitment to move forward and embrace electoral politics as the only way to effect lasting change and improvement of quality of life to the North of Ireland," commented Crowley.

Crowley commends the IRA statement ordering its volunteers to dump arms, cease all military activity and pursue their aims only through political means. The statement by the IRA is the final steps for Republicanism to take in the North of Ireland and this is a dramatic step in the right direction which will lead to additional positive developments in the peace process.

"Regardless of their political or religious persuasion or their economic condition, the people of the North of Ireland must join together to restore the devolved government to achieve the representational government they elected on November 26, 2003. Only when all sides who worked to create the Good Friday Agreement, fulfill the promises made in this historic agreement, will a political solution be achieved," continued Crowley. ENDS