Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams's appeal to the IRA to consider abandoning armed struggle in favour of politics was a genuine attempt to advance the peace process, he insisted today.
The west Belfast MP welcomed the IRA's confirmation today that it would give due consideration to his dramatic appeal yesterday. But he denied his challenge to the Provisionals was an electoral ploy to boost Sinn Féin's vote.
Gerry Adams
"This is about leadership. It is about trying to give leadership in difficult circumstances. The thinking had nothing to do with elections," Mr Adams said.
His appeal was made because the peace process was in crisis, he maintained.
"The atmosphere was getting poisonous for the last few months. If things remained where they were, things were going to get more and more poisonous."
His appeal for the IRA to begin an internal debate now on its future was made with the possibility of talks in the autumn in mind. Although he welcomed positive reaction in Ireland, Britain, the United States and elsewhere, he appealed to political opponents who were more sceptical to give his initiative a chance.
"I thought long and hard about it," he said. "It was aimed at leapfrogging over the difficulties. It was aimed at clearing the decks. It was an attempt to create conditions where there can be proper engagement."
PA