CURRENT IRA activities are not part of some "phoney war" strategy being pursued by the organisation. The IRA's intention since the end of its ceasefire has been to hit all targets it has attacked.
These views were expressed this week by an IRA spokesman who was asked by The Irish Times to explain the organisation's strategy. Speaking on the eve of the first anniversary of the bombing of Canary Wharf, the spokesman, said the IRA fully supported the Sinn Fein leadership "and its strategy" on the peace process.
"However, we are not engaged in any phoney war. We are clear about that," the spokesman said.
In an interview which took place in Dublin and was arranged through republican channels whose bona fides are accepted by The Irish Times, the spokesman described the peace process as "defunct" in its present state. However, he insisted the IRA was willing to see it restored if the British government "moves towards real negotiations".
Asked what would constitute "real negotiations", he said constitutional change in Northern Ireland's existing status would have to be on the agenda. "Our aim still remains a united Ireland."
He denied that the 18 month ceasefire had reduced the IRA's ability to mount operations, either in Northern Ireland or in Britain. He hinted that the IRA intended to mount a fresh bombing campaign in Britain as soon as possible.
The spokesman said IRA members might have become "more relaxed" during the ceasefire but were now firmly back in offensive mode.
He denied the organisation had been infiltrated by the security forces during the ceasefire and put unsuccessful" attacks down to "operational difficulties or to save civilians".
Asked how the IRA could justify renewing its campaign and exposing nationalists to a loyalist backlash, he said the IRA "cannot, allow the status quo to remain".
Admitting that the IRA could not protect "every Catholic" who might become a loyalist target, he said the IRA was balancing all the arguments and concluding that it had no option but to pursue its campaign of violence. He added that the IRA had the same support as ever.
The spokesman suggested that a future talks process, involving all the parties negotiating the future of the North, would lead to a new political momentum and ultimately, change. There could never be any preconditions to these talks, including decommissioning.
He predicted that a new British government would be more willing than the present administration to engage in a renewed peace process. However, there would be no political movement before the next general election in Britain and, consequently, no IRA ceasefire.
The IRA was prepared to continue its campaign until its aims were achieved.
"Nobody, however, in the IRA wants that to be the future. Nobody enjoys this or wants it to go on. We are open and willing to facilitate a process of real negotiations."
Asked if this meant another ceasefire, he said: "Yes."
On speculation that the Sinn Fein leadership was taking criticism from within the republican movement for its handling of the peace process, the spokesman said the IRA was fully supportive of their approach. The Sinn Fein leadership had done everything possible to bring about political change.
He refused to comment on recent newspaper reports that there had been a shake up in the IRA leadership. He also declined to say anything about "operational matters" but said the DUP councillor, Mr Nigel Dodds, wash not the target of the gun attack in, the children's wing of the Royal Victoria Hospital. The RUC officers protecting him were the real target.
The IRA, meanwhile, would continue to "seek a resolution to, the conflict in spite of the breakdown in the ceasefire".