Though the Irish Republican Army and pro-British "loyalists'' declared cease-fires last year, efforts to draw political leaders into negotiations have been stalled by demands that the extremist camps begin disposing of their guns, explosives and weapons-making material first.
"We recognize that the views of the parties are different, and that this body was created because those views could not be reconciled directly,'' said George Mitchell, a former U.S. senator who is leading the investigation into disarming the rival paramilitary groups.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.