Up Democracy--Republican and Northern

Big news, I think: Sinn Féin President, and arch-terrorist, Gerry Adams becomes the newest convert to the Bush Doctrine:

For over thirty years the IRA showed that the British government could not rule Ireland on its own terms. You asserted the legitimacy of the right of the people of this island to freedom and independence. Many of your comrades made the ultimate sacrifice. . .

That struggle can now be taken forward by other means. I say this with the authority of my office as President of Sinn Fein.

In the past I have defended the right of the IRA to engage in armed struggle. I did so because there was no alternative for those who would not bend the knee, or turn a blind eye to oppression, or for those who wanted a national republic.

Now there is an alternative.

I have clearly set out my view of what that alternative is. The way forward is by building political support for republican and democratic objectives across Ireland and by winning support for these goals internationally.

I want to use this occasion therefore to appeal to the leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann [the IRA] to fully embrace and accept this alternative.

Can you take courageous initiatives which will achieve your aims by purely political and democratic activity?

Adams' remarks go beyond any of his prior promises. Still, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern says words are good, but the IRA will be judged by its actions:

Nothing less than a complete and decisive end to all IRA activity and capability will be acceptable if there is to be any prospect of achieving inclusive politics in Northern Ireland.

The only way forward is through peaceful and democratic means.

It is vital that the IRA's consultations be concluded in a timely manner and that everyone will know that the necessary steps have been taken, that they will be adhered to and that the IRA is thus moving on.

For so many years we have had false dawns and dashed hopes.

Blogger Richard Delevan has the best round-up; keep scrolling down. Could Adams be more of a "real liberal" than Delevan's dad?