Statement by Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda on the Announcement by the IRA on the Cessation of its Military Operations

July 23, 1997

1. In its statement of July 19, 1997, the IRA (Irish Republican Army) announced that a complete cessation of military operations would be in place from 12 o'clock on the 20th of July 1997, and that it has ordered the unequivocal restoration of the August 1994 ceasefire, informing all IRA units accordingly. Reiterating its firm opposition to all forms of terrorism, Japan welcomes the IRA's announcement of the cessation of military operations.
   
   
2. Japan strongly hopes for a peaceful solution to the Northern Ireland problem and highly values the efforts which the British and Irish Governments have been making to establish peace in Northern Ireland. Japan hopes that the ceasefire announcement will lead to the convening of a successful plenary session of All-Party Negotiations in September with the participation of all the parties concerned so as to bring about a progress towards a peaceful settlement of the Northern Ireland problem.