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Press Release :
Strasbourg, 24th October 2001
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Nicole FONTAINE "the decommissioning announced by the IRA is a profoundly significant act"
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For the President of the European Parliament "the announcement of decommissioning by the IRA is profoundly significant. This will help restore confidence amongst all those involved and will give a new impetus to the peace process in Northern Ireland. It is a historic step which deserves our full support."
Nicole FONTAINE hopes that "David TRIMBLE who has announced his intention to return to the leadership of the Executive will be supported by his party, the UUP, and that this act of the IRA will stimulate the loyalist paramilitaries to follow its example." She welcomed "the intention of the British government to give 'a generous response' to the beginning of IRA decommissioning and hopes that this will be a further decisive contribution to the peace process".
During her official visits to Ireland and the United Kingdom, the President had been "particularly struck by the desire for peace shown by the people of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom".
The President hoped that this "step in the quest for peace could serve as an example to others whether in Europe or the world. It proves that reason can triumph over emotion and hate".
For further information: Jacques NANCY, GSM: 00 32 476 96 96 72
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Press enquiries: Jacques NANCY, President's Spokesman
TEL : +32-2.284.24.85 - GSM : +32-476.969.672 - FAX : +32-2.284.49.73 - E-MAIL : jnancy@europarl.europa.eu
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