Secretary-General welcomes IRA disarmament decision

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the announcement by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) of its decision to end armed actions in Northern Ireland and to disarm.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, the Secretary-General said that this decision, if implemented, would be a watershed in the history of Northern Ireland.

"The Secretary-General hopes the IRA will commit fully to the obligation it has undertaken. He calls on all parties concerned to seize this unique opportunity to consolidate the Good Friday Agreement," the statement added.