A chara, - The word "ceasefire" would appear to have lost its specific significance. Innumerable politicians, especially in the British Government, talk of the IRA instituting a new ceasefire which has to be accompanied by guarantees of permanently renouncing the use of force. I find this curious.
The plain man's definition of ceasefire is nothing but an agreement to stop firing for a negotiated period of time. It does not imply anything more. Peace is something else - entirely and comes, if it comes at all, after tough negotiations and a willingness on all sides to stick to any agreement that has been thrashed out.
John Major also refers to the IRA's last ceasefire as "fake". Apart from being a rather insulting term to use (and far be it from me to suggest that the British wish to goad the IRA into a renewed round of conflict in order to rally flagging public opinion behind Mr. Major, in view of imminent British elections), I seem to recall that the IRA maintained its promise to cease firing for a considerable period of time - until it became painfully apparent to all and sundry that the British Government had not the slightest intention of seriously negotiating anything more than another cup of tea. - Is mise,
Busano, Italy.