| 1. |
On September 26 (Mon), the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which, in accordance with the peace agreement of April 1998, assumes the role of monitoring the arms decommissioning of the paramilitary organization in Northern Ireland, reported that the arms decommissioning of the IRA, which on July 28 this year declared that it would abandon armed struggle, was completed.
Japan welcomes this report as great progress towards the peace in Northern Ireland and highly commends the efforts of the Government of the U.K., the Government of Ireland, the political parties in Northern Ireland and others concerned that led to this decommissioning of arms. |
| 2. |
Since October 2002, the Government of the U.K. has suspended the authority of the devolved government of Northern Ireland because of its confused situation.
Japan hopes that IRA's arms decommissioning will bring further progress in the peace process of Northern Ireland including the restoration of the devolved government. |
