The decommissioning of IRA weapons would greatly affect the political process in Northern Ireland. It would also prove a difficult move for republicans, the Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams told supporters in Dublin the day before news broke that Gen John De Chastelain was ready to announce the decommissioning of the IRA's guns and explosives.
Mr Adams comments were made during an address to a rally in Dublin on Saturday, just 24 hours before details of the IRA decommissioning emerged. He was speaking to about 3,000 people attending the Make Partition History carnival in Dublin.
"I believe that the IRA in the near future is going to honour its commitment to put its weapons beyond use," Mr Adams told Sinn Féin supporters assembled at the GPO.
"Such an announcement will have a huge impact on the political process. I know it will be difficult for many republicans. There will be some who are concerned about the future. But I believe that we need to face up to this opportunity in a positive mood."
Mr Adams said the move would be a huge change not just for republicans but for the entire island of Ireland.
"I don't think republicans have absorbed what it is about. I don't think the media have absorbed what it is about. I don't think our opponents have absorbed what it is about," he said.
The rally, which featured street theatre, costumes and live music, concluded on a stage outside the GPO on O'Connell Street with an address from the Sinn Féin leader. Some participants carried toy weapons and men with replica rifles stood adjacent to Mr Adams as he spoke.
Mr Adams talked of a new beginning for all citizens of Ireland. "Our strategy is to make partition history. To win freedom for all the people on the island of Ireland."
Mr Adams said the IRA's forthcoming announcement on the "arms issue" may not be welcomed by all republicans.
"Some republicans will find it difficult," he said. "But we need to face the future positively. Let's stay united."
Mr Adams said he stood "shoulder to shoulder" with the families who were recently subject to sectarian harassment. "And I expect the Irish Government to do the same," he added.
Staging Saturday's rally outside the GPO was appropriate, said Mr Adams, as this was where Pádraig Pearse first read the 1916 Easter Proclamation, which proclaimed the right to Irish independence from Britain. "The 1916 proclamation is our mission statement . . . As we leave the GPO let us be sure that if we keep at it we are going to be the generation that see the proclamation become a reality."
Sinn Féin's MEP Mary Lou McDonald acted as master of ceremonies on the stage outside the GPO, introducing the various musical and theatrical performances. Irish singer/songwriter Brush Shiels performed renditions of Dirty Old Town and the Fields of Athenry outside the GPO. A number of poets and musical acts also performed, including a young man draped in a blanket who read aloud a letter written by Bobby Sands during his hunger strike.
According to gardaí, the rally passed off without any major incident.
- (Additional reporting PA)