INLA'S WAR IS OVER
INLA's war is over
By Jonathan Turner and William Ryan
THE leader of INLA prisoners in the Maze yesterday threw his support behind the group's ceasefire and declared: "The war is over".
Christopher 'Crip' McWilliams, who is on remand awaiting trial for the murder of LVF leader Billy Wright, denied that some elements of the paramilitary group may not support Saturday's ceasefire.
Speaking on behalf of INLA prisoners in the Maze, the 36-year-old said their members were "a hundred per cent" behind the leadership.
Some reports had suggested that INLA supporters in Louth and Armagh had serious misgivings about the ceasefire.
But speaking from the Maze, McWilliams said: "I don't know where you're getting your information from.
"I am confident that the whole, entire movement is 100 per cent behind the leadership of the INLA."
As speculation rose over whether or not the INLA would now be eligible for early release under the terms of the Good Friday agreement, he added:
"We have never allowed ourselves to be used as political pawns in the peace process.
"Securing releases has never been our primary concern. At the end of the day, throughout the world in every conflict political prisoners have been an issue.
"If anything does come about, we will be part of it, we're confident of that.
"But at the end of the day, whether it does or doesn't, that's well and good."
McWilliams also urged other republicans to agree to a cessation - a comment obviously aimed at the Continuity IRA.
"We endorse the decision taken by the Republican socialist movement," he said.
"We accept that although the Good Friday Agreement is flawed and needs to be opposed politically, the Irish people have overwhelmingly expressed their desire for peace.
"As revolutionaries we are compelled to recognise the desire of the people.
"We ask other republicans to reflect on this recently expressed wish of the Irish people for peace and call upon them to act responsibly."
The statement also echoed the apology expressed by the INLA leadership to the innocent victims of their campaign of violence.
"Over the years our movement has made mistakes in pursuit of a legitimate struggle to liberate Ireland," their OC said.
"The INLA prisoners themselves wish to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to the hurt and suffering caused to anyone as a consequence of our mistakes in the prosecution of our struggle."
He added: "However, that phase of the struggle has now ended. The political climate has changed. The war is over."
The spokesman encouraged the INLA's political wing - the IRSP - to campaign on behalf of the "working class, poor and marginalised sections of our nation."
By Jonathan Turner and William Ryan
THE leader of INLA prisoners in the Maze yesterday threw his support behind the group's ceasefire and declared: "The war is over".
Christopher 'Crip' McWilliams, who is on remand awaiting trial for the murder of LVF leader Billy Wright, denied that some elements of the paramilitary group may not support Saturday's ceasefire.
Speaking on behalf of INLA prisoners in the Maze, the 36-year-old said their members were "a hundred per cent" behind the leadership.
Some reports had suggested that INLA supporters in Louth and Armagh had serious misgivings about the ceasefire.
But speaking from the Maze, McWilliams said: "I don't know where you're getting your information from.
"I am confident that the whole, entire movement is 100 per cent behind the leadership of the INLA."
As speculation rose over whether or not the INLA would now be eligible for early release under the terms of the Good Friday agreement, he added:
"We have never allowed ourselves to be used as political pawns in the peace process.
"Securing releases has never been our primary concern. At the end of the day, throughout the world in every conflict political prisoners have been an issue.
"If anything does come about, we will be part of it, we're confident of that.
"But at the end of the day, whether it does or doesn't, that's well and good."
McWilliams also urged other republicans to agree to a cessation - a comment obviously aimed at the Continuity IRA.
"We endorse the decision taken by the Republican socialist movement," he said.
"We accept that although the Good Friday Agreement is flawed and needs to be opposed politically, the Irish people have overwhelmingly expressed their desire for peace.
"As revolutionaries we are compelled to recognise the desire of the people.
"We ask other republicans to reflect on this recently expressed wish of the Irish people for peace and call upon them to act responsibly."
The statement also echoed the apology expressed by the INLA leadership to the innocent victims of their campaign of violence.
"Over the years our movement has made mistakes in pursuit of a legitimate struggle to liberate Ireland," their OC said.
"The INLA prisoners themselves wish to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to the hurt and suffering caused to anyone as a consequence of our mistakes in the prosecution of our struggle."
He added: "However, that phase of the struggle has now ended. The political climate has changed. The war is over."
The spokesman encouraged the INLA's political wing - the IRSP - to campaign on behalf of the "working class, poor and marginalised sections of our nation."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0186
Published Date: 24-Aug-98
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