McGuinness, Adams and Ferris quit IRA council

[two gun sid]

From Irish Independent:
THREE senior Sinn Fein figures, including party president Gerry Adams, have stepped down from their posts on the IRA’s ruling army council.

The ground-breaking decision means that all links between the leadership of the political and military wings of the Provisional movement have been severed.

And it paves the way for major changes in the Provisional structures to be announced in an IRA statement, now expected to be delivered in the second half of next week.

It is believed that the internal IRA debate about its future, which has been going on for over three months, has now effectively ended and that the final details of the statement are being worked on.

http://saoirse32.blogsome.com/

Scroll down the page for the story or if you're registered with Unison.ie try this link:

http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1438272&issue_id=12778

[Maeve]

1. A grain of salt needed, since they deny ever having been on the council

We're dealing with anonymous sources again and the Independent is extremely anti-SF...
Given that, however, this article may indicate that the anti-SF forces are preparing for a shift as much as it indicates a shift in the IRA.

Which, overall, is a hopeful sign for peace.

[two gun sid]

2. A grain of salt is always needed when discussing the council...

but, I think something significant is about to happen.

[DaveinMD]

3. no matter what the IRA does

the unionists and loyalists will just keep moving the goal line. They aren't interested in true peace.

[two gun sid]

4. It often seems that way, Dave...

and it is frustrating at times. The day is coming when they will no longer be able to pull that shit. That day is not far off.

[DaveinMD]

5. I'll believe it when I see it

but I don't trust the securocrats to let it happen. And I don't trust Blair on this either. He's blown opportunity over opportunity to make peace happen.

[two gun sid]

6. You're right, they are all just stalling...

but demographics and economics will end partition eventually. It's just a damn shame it has to drag on like it has.

[DaveinMD]

7. that is true

that's why they terrorize Catholics trying to get them to move out.

[two gun sid]

8. Update from the BBC/NI:

SF members 'leave army council'

The Irish justice minister has said he understands Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and Martin Ferris have now left the IRA army council.

Michael McDowell said he did not think it "by itself amounts to a severance between the two organisations".

However, he said it was important as it acknowledged structured links between them. The three men have always denied being members of the IRA army council.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4718811.stm