    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [June 26, 2000]
    [Page 1274]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1274]]

    Statement on the Northern Ireland Peace Process
    June 26, 2000

        The Northern Ireland peace process has been given a tremendous boost
    forward by the announcement that Martti Ahtisaari and Cyril Ramaphosa have
    inspected several IRA arms dumps and issued a positive report on their
    findings through the Independent International Commission on
    Decommissioning. The fact that the IRA has reestablished contact with
    the Commission is equally significant, representing a tangible step
    toward fulfillment of its undertaking to put arms beyond use in the
    context of full implementation of the Good Friday accord. I urge all
    paramilitary organizations and political parties to build on this
    progress. I believe all the people of Northern Ireland should take heart
    from these harbingers of lasting peace.

     Note: The statement referred to former Finnish President Martti
    Ahtisaari, chairman, and former African National Congress Secretary-
    General Cyril Ramaphosa, board member, International Crisis Group.