BOMB GANG LEADERS VOTE TO CALL TRUCE
Bomb gang leaders vote to call truce
By TOM BRADY and CHRIS GLENNON
THE dissident republican group responsible for the Omagh atrocity is on the brink of declaring a total ceasefire.
Senior figures in the terrorist organisation, the self-styled Real IRA or Oglaigh na hEireann, have voted in favour of a complete cessation of violence.
This follows a secret meeting in Co Clare on Tuesday of several members of the terror gang's caretaker army executive, as disclosed in yesterday's Irish Independent.
But it was not clear last night whether the move would have the support of the group's leader, the former quartermaster general of the Provisional IRA, or of the hardline south Armagh faction responsible for the Omagh bomb.
According to reliable sources last night, many of the key figures based in the Republic, particularly those in Munster, have been dismayed by the public backlash in the wake of the Omagh bomb and now believe there is no future for their breakaway organisation.
Senior security sources said a statement from the group who attended the meeting in Clare was imminent.
The splinter group has been thrown into total disarray by the aftermath of the Omagh bomb and fears the consequences of the crackdown promised by both the Irish and British governments.
Draconian new laws will be passed by the Dail and the British House of Commons next Wednesday and it is expected that the Garda and the RUC will move against the breakaway leadership shortly afterwards.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair last night told key parties to the Good Friday Agreement that it was time for them to talk.
It came just days before President Clinton is due in the country for a visit which could give the peace process huge momentum.
Last night, in a surprise change of schedule, the White House said the President would visit Omagh to pay his respects to the people killed there by the Real IRA.
In their meeting yesterday, Mr Ahern and Mr Blair devised a strategy to push forward the Executive which will run the North.
That means getting Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists into government together.
But first they have to talk. "They must sit down together,'' said the Taoiseach.
He was specifically referring to the North's First Minister, David Trimble, and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams who so far have not even exchanged greetings.
The leaders set a Christmas deadline to meet many commitments under the historic agreement.
Neither would give even a hint of their agreed strategy but there is no doubt that each will separately exert pressure on Mr Trimble and Mr Adams.
By TOM BRADY and CHRIS GLENNON
THE dissident republican group responsible for the Omagh atrocity is on the brink of declaring a total ceasefire.
Senior figures in the terrorist organisation, the self-styled Real IRA or Oglaigh na hEireann, have voted in favour of a complete cessation of violence.
This follows a secret meeting in Co Clare on Tuesday of several members of the terror gang's caretaker army executive, as disclosed in yesterday's Irish Independent.
But it was not clear last night whether the move would have the support of the group's leader, the former quartermaster general of the Provisional IRA, or of the hardline south Armagh faction responsible for the Omagh bomb.
According to reliable sources last night, many of the key figures based in the Republic, particularly those in Munster, have been dismayed by the public backlash in the wake of the Omagh bomb and now believe there is no future for their breakaway organisation.
Senior security sources said a statement from the group who attended the meeting in Clare was imminent.
The splinter group has been thrown into total disarray by the aftermath of the Omagh bomb and fears the consequences of the crackdown promised by both the Irish and British governments.
Draconian new laws will be passed by the Dail and the British House of Commons next Wednesday and it is expected that the Garda and the RUC will move against the breakaway leadership shortly afterwards.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair last night told key parties to the Good Friday Agreement that it was time for them to talk.
It came just days before President Clinton is due in the country for a visit which could give the peace process huge momentum.
Last night, in a surprise change of schedule, the White House said the President would visit Omagh to pay his respects to the people killed there by the Real IRA.
In their meeting yesterday, Mr Ahern and Mr Blair devised a strategy to push forward the Executive which will run the North.
That means getting Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists into government together.
But first they have to talk. "They must sit down together,'' said the Taoiseach.
He was specifically referring to the North's First Minister, David Trimble, and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams who so far have not even exchanged greetings.
The leaders set a Christmas deadline to meet many commitments under the historic agreement.
Neither would give even a hint of their agreed strategy but there is no doubt that each will separately exert pressure on Mr Trimble and Mr Adams.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/119
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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