    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [August 31, 1994]
    [Page 1514]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Northern Ireland Peace Process
    August 31, 1994

        I welcome today's watershed announcement by the IRA that it has
    decided to end the 25-year campaign of violence and pursue the path of
    peace. While much work remains to be done, the IRA's decision to join
    the political process can mark the beginning of a new era that holds the
    promise of peace for all the people of Northern Ireland.
        I have just spoken with Prime Minister Albert Reynolds of Ireland
    and Prime Minister John Major of the United Kingdom to congratulate them
    for their persistent efforts to bring this day about. Their joint
    resolve to end the violence and pursue a negotiated settlement has been
    crucial to the progress made to date. Their historic joint declaration
    last December, together with the Anglo-Irish agreement of 1985, have
    built the foundation for the new hope we have today. I am pleased that
    the United States has been able to contribute to this process of
    reconciliation.
        We join with the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom in
    the hope and expectation that today's step will help bring a lasting and
    just peace to Northern Ireland. I urge the IRA and all who have
    supported it to fulfill the promise of today's announcement to end the
    use and support of violence, just as we continue to call on all parties
    who have sought to achieve political goals through violence to cease to
    do so. There must be a permanent end to the violence.
        The United States continues to stand ready to assist in advancing
    the process of peace in Northern Ireland. We hope that both traditions,
    unionist and nationalist, will support the only real avenue to peace,
    that of a negotiated settlement to the conflict.