IRA to dump arms…
Today at 4:00pm the IRA will officially end their armed campaign, according to an IRA spokesman who read a statement this morning. This could mean that the IRA will indeed dump weapons and cease to continue violent means to try to acheive their goal. The statement gave indication that members were being encouraged towards peaceful and political methods.
On the other hand, this could be short lived. The Unionist politicians are very skeptical regarding this announcement, they have every reason to be too, many promises have come and gone in NI politics without having the effects the should.
But I choose to be opitmistic. I hope and pray that this announcement represents the event that Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and co are hoping it to be. To be honest I expect it to fall short of the full expectations being laid on it, but I hope at least it will be a major step in the right direction.
But regardless of the outcome, this will be a memorable occasion, either for the biggest lie in Northern Irish history (well, one of the biggest) or for being one of the largest steps in ending armed comflict in this small country.
On top of it, if the IRA are disarmed fully and the loyalist paramilitary feuds and unrest continues the loyalist/unionist political reputation will be the target of the distrust and uncertainty that has been pointed firmly at republican parties. Perhaps if all political connections are broken with paramilitaries then the police could really begin to treat them like the common criminals they are.
In other news, my visa arrived today! Hurrah! I panicked for a moment when I noticed the expiry date marked was a month or so short of the date I was due to come home, but a little research and confirmation email to Ruth in Japan I am assured it means I have until the expiry date to use the visa (ie turn up in Japan), which I will easily do 
