It's important to remember that the Irish Peace Process did not begin with bold initiatives from the British or Irish government's. It began in 1988 when the two leaders of Irish nationalism in the north, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and SDLP (Social Democratic Labour Party) leader John Hume, held a series of discussions over a five year period that culminated in a joint document outlining a framework towards a negotiated settlement. This document, known as the Humes/Adams Initiative, forced the reluctant British and Irish governments to face up to their responsibilities of beginning a process towards a lasting agreement.

On August 31, 1994, the IRA gave a quantum boost to the peace process with their courageous announcement of a "complete" ceasefire. After three years of delay, deception and inaction by the British government, all-party talks finally began in the fall of 1997. Out of those difficult negotiations, the Good Friday Agreement was agreed on April 10, 1998. Since then, the British government has not fully lived up to it's commitments on policing, demilitarization, criminal justice reform and the equality agenda. They have also allowed the unionist political parties to continually obstruct, minimize and wreak havoc on the political institutions set up by the agreement.

Throughout all of these difficulties, the Republican Movement has shown it's unwavering support for the peace process. The IRA has taken historic, unilateral moves including agreeing to put it's weapons beyond use and stating that they are committed to a permanent peace. The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning's report on August 6, 2001, stated that they "are satisfied that this proposal meets the Commission's remit" and "initiates a process that will put IRA arms completely and verifiably beyond use." This massive gesture by the IRA came in the face of over 200 pro-British Loyalist pipe bomb attacks on nationalist communities in the first 9 months of 2001 alone and Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble determined efforts to undermine the agreement at every turn.

Sinn Féin has worked tirelessly to move the process forward and to maximize the potential of the Good Friday Agreement. They were rewarded for their commitment by the electorate in July 2001 by becoming the largest nationalist party in the north of Ireland. They also stand poised to make major gains in the upcoming Irish General Election in 2002.

Irish America has continued to play a crucial role in supporting peace and justice in Ireland. It's long standing commitment to freedom in Ireland has been a invaluable resource.

Please take the time to learn more about the Irish Peace Process by clicking on the subjects to the left of this page.