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DATE=8/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237310
TITLE=IRISH BOMB / CEASEFIRE (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE DISSIDENT REPUBLICAN GROUP, KNOWN AS "THE REAL 
I-R-A," NOW SAYS IT HAS SUSPENDED ALL MILITARY ACTIONS 
INDEFINITELY.  THE CODED STATEMENT WAS SENT TO THE IRISH TIMES 
NEWSPAPER OF BELFAST ONLY A FEW HOURS AFTER THE GROUP CLAIMED 
CREDIT FOR THE OMAGH CAR BOMBING.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE 
KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THAT INITIAL REACTION HAS BEEN ANGRY 
AND DISBELIEVING.
TEXT:  THE STATEMENT SAYS THE REAL I-R-A HAS SUSPENDED ITS 
MILITARY ACTIONS AND IS CONSULTING ITS MEMBERS ABOUT FUTURE 
DIRECTION. THE STATEMENT APPEARS TO RESPOND TO IRISH PRIME 
MINISTER BERTIE AHERN'S ULTIMATUM FOR A CEASEFIRE FROM ALL 
DISSIDENT GROUPS.  THE CEASEFIRE COMES ONLY HOURS AFTER THE REAL 
I-R-A SAID IT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OMAGH CAR BOMBING BUT HAD  
NOT  INTENDED TO TARGET CIVILIANS.
SOME OFFICIALS SAY THE CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT IS TOO LITTLE TOO 
LATE.  DAVID TRIMBLE -- THE PROTESTANT POLITICIAN WHO HEADS THE 
NEW NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY -- SAYS IT IS CONTEMPTIBLE AND 
LACKS CREDIBILITY.  
THE IRISH CABINET IS HOLDING AN EMERGENCY SESSION TO DISCUSS 
TOUGH SECURITY AND LEGAL MEASURES AGAINST THE GUERRILLA GROUPS 
TRYING TO DISRUPT NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE PROCESS.
BRITAIN'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND MO MOWLAM 
CALLED THE REAL I-R-A'S CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT AN INSULT.
                      ///  MOWLAM ACT  /// 
         WE WELCOME ANY SUSPENSION OF VIOLENCE, AND LET'S BE 
         CLEAR THEY STRESS IN THE STATEMENT IT'S ONLY A 
         SUSPENSION, BUT ON THE DAY THAT 16 VICTIMS ARE BURIED, I
         THINK IT'S AN INSULT TO BELIEVE THE WORDS MEAN ANYTHING.
         THE PAIN AND GRIEF WON'T GO AWAY AND I THINK IT'S A BIT 
         LATE.
                        ///  END ACT  ///
IRELAND'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MARY HARNEY TOLD BRITISH RADIO 
THE REAL I-R-A STATEMENT DOES  NOT  CHANGE THE IRISH GOVERNMENT'S
DETERMINATION TO CRACK DOWN ON THE EXTREMISTS.
                      //  HARNEY ACT  /// 
         IT'S NOT GOING TO ALTER WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO 
         CONSIDER TODAY.   VERY TOUGH MEASURES ARE ON THE 
         GOVERNMENT AGENDA AND THERE IS NO DOUBT WE'LL AGREE  TO 
         THE INTRODUCTION OF WHAT'S NECESSARY TO DESTROY THIS 
         ORGANIZATION. WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM DOWN AND IT'S AS 
         SIMPLE AS THAT.
                        ///  END ACT  ///
AT LEAST 28 PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND MORE THAN 200 INJURED IN THE 
CAR BOMB BLAST IN OMAGH.   IT WAS THE DEADLIEST TERRORIST ATTACK 
IN NORTHERN IRELAND'S PAST THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE.  
(SIGNED)
NEB/LK/JWH/PLM
19-Aug-98 5:55 AM EDT (0955 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.