Adams: A liberating leap forward

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams tonight called the IRA arms announcement a ‘‘huge, liberating leap forward’’.

Mr Adams said the move was ‘‘unprecedented and groundbreaking’’ and should unlock the entire peace process.

‘‘I want to pay tribute to the IRA for doing this,’’ he told reporters in London.

‘‘At a time when there is international calamity in the world, this shows that matters can be resolved through politics.’’

Mr Adams said he understood that the IRA statement would have ‘‘difficulties’’ for some republicans, but said they had plenty of time to resolve any concerns.

‘‘Many people who don’t want change have used the arms issue, or at least the IRA arms issue, as a reason for not embracing the peace process.

‘‘That reason or that excuse has now been removed. That is what’s important.’’

He also called on Tony Blair to respond to the IRA’s move.

‘‘I would expect the British Prime Minister to take a leap of imagination and start to right the wrongs that have been inflicted on the people of my country, and which are still sustained, and move to fulfil his obligations.

‘‘Today has been a huge, liberating leap forward. Let everyone else now bear the collective weight of that and bring the process forward.’’