The decommissioning of paramilitary weapons should begin as soon as possible and be as complete as possible, talks chairman Senator George Mitchell has said. He arrived back in Northern Ireland yesterday for the first time since the conclusion of the talks on Good Friday.
"It is important that there be a commitment to the total elimination of armed paramilitary groups . . . and it should begin as soon as possible and should be as complete as possible," Mr Mitchell said. Responding to questions on yesterday's IRA statement, Mr Mitchell said people should not be deterred from the peace process. "One of the things which caused me greatest concern during the long haul of these negotiations was the ease with which the whole society, including political leaders, can be distracted and deterred by statements and actions that are contrary to the wish and desire of the overwhelming majority of people."
He was convinced that the overwhelming majority wanted to resolve their differences through democratic and exclusively peaceful means. Those who continued to use violence or the threat of violence should not be allowed to control the future.
Mr Mitchell said it was not for him to make a decision on the agreement but for the people of Northern Ireland. However, he believed it represented "an opportunity to achieve stability, prosperity and reconciliation" and was the first step on a long road, which would require effort by many people. His greatest fear was a resumption of sectarian conflict. He also wanted to make it "crystal clear" that there were many people who were opposed to the agreement, but who were also opposed to violence.
Mr Mitchell had earlier addressed a lunch organised by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce. He emphasised the importance of economic progress, but received the loudest applause for his condemnation of violence.
The principles of democracy and non-violence, now known as the Mitchell Principles, were the foundation of the negotiations, he said. "We took them and take them very seriously. It is my absolute conviction that the men of violence do not have the answer to the problems in Northern Ireland, that violence will only make the problem worse."
Mr Mitchell stressed the importance of economic growth in achieving peace and said stability was necessary for Northern Ireland to reach its full potential. The conflict was not rooted entirely in economics, but it was a factor. "Genuine reconciliation is an important goal, but in my view it will take a long time and will be the consequence of stability and not a precondition for stability."