Hume: IRA statement a 'very important step'
Former SDLP leader and Nobel peace prize winner John Hume said today's IRA statement is very important and it is now up to the Irish and British governments and the parties in the North to implement the Good Friday Agreement.
He said all true democrats now had to respond to the will of the people.
“I think it is a very important step, given the opposition that was coming from the DUP in particular,” he said.
“Now that the road is totally clear, I would be reasonably confident that we would make further progress.
“It is now the duty of all true democrats north and south to implement the will of the people. That’s the strongest argument that can be put to the parties in the North.
“I think it should make quite a substantial difference. Obviously, a complete and absolute end to violence is a necessity in our situation.
“Violence not only has no role to play, but it deepens the problems and makes them far more difficult to resolve. It’s about time that that was completely ended,” he told Sky News.
Mr Hume called for the Irish and British governments to meet the North's parties immediately to set about implementing the Good Friday Agreement.
