The declaration of an "absolute, utter finish" to its campaign of violence by the Loyalist Volunteer Force is a bright portent in a grey Northern landscape. And it has been welcomed by politicians and by government representatives as a positive, hopeful development. Even if doubts persist concerning the motivation and commitment of the LVF in declaring an end to violence, the organisation should be encouraged to live up to its word through an official indication that its prisoners will, in the medium term, be considered for the early release programme available to signatories of the Belfast Agreement.
The statement from the LVF comes amid speculation that the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) may also seek the release of its prisoners through the declaration of a ceasefire. It would appear that contact has been resumed, through intermediaries, between the British government and the INLA with a view to exploring the implications of a cessation of violence in the autumn. Should that happen, the informal alliance which has developed between the INLA, the self-styled "Real IRA" and the "Continuity IRA" would dissolve and the prospect of an end to nationalist violence would increase considerably.
All three were involved in attempts to plant bombs in London last July, while the "Real IRA" claimed responsibility for the recent bomb in Banbridge, Co Down. These acts of random paramilitary violence have been designed to wreck the Belfast Agreement and to intensify the pressure on Sinn Fein.
Given the weekend developments the time would seem opportune for Mr Gerry Adams and the Sinn Fein leadership to seek an announcement from the Provisional IRA that the war is finally over. Such a development would immeasurably strengthen the Belfast Agreement. It would also create the kind of political flexibility necessary to allow Sinn Fein take its seats on the new Northern executive.
Mr Adams appeared to rule out such a course of action yesterday and said he was under no pressure to put some variation of words together to satisfy unionism. But this is not simply a matter of satisfying unionists. The endorsement of the Belfast Agreement by 70 per cent of Northern voters (and by more than 90 per cent of nationalists) would seem reason enough for the IRA to declare an unequivocal end to its war. The Fine Gael leader, Mr Bruton, is right to label Mr Adams' uncompromising tone yesterday an "insult to democracy." There is a great burden on the republican movement to face up to its responsibilities at this time. The Provisional IRA is thought to have been involved in no fewer than 31 punishment shootings so far this year. And the murder of Mr Andy Kearney was also laid at the door of that organisation, in spite of considerable hand-wringing by Sinn Fein. The republican movement has failed to deliver on some key commitments. In spite of some promising signals, there has been no move to decommission weapons or to help to recover the bodies of those abducted and killed by the IRA.
The way forward in Northern Ireland was demonstrated on Saturday when the Apprentice Boys parade passed off with only minor disturbances in Derry. The courage and flexibility demonstrated by the Apprentice Boys and representatives of the local community in sitting down and working out an acceptable compromise is to be applauded. Such accommodations are the key to fundamental political change.