The overwhelming desire of the great majority of all the people of the north is for an end to military actions by all sides Official IRA statement

A statement was read out from Dublin after last night's meeting of the executive of the Northern Republican Clubs, a political movement allied to the IRA.

It said: "The overwhelming desire of the great majority of all the people of the north is for an end to military actions by all sides."

It went on to say that a suspension of activities would be a chance to prevent all-out civil war in Ulster.

The group insisted it would continue a campaign of civil disobedience and the political struggle until its demands were met - namely:

• the release of all internees,
• an amnesty for political prisoners in British and Irish jails,
• the withdrawal of British troops from the streets of Northern Ireland,
• the abolition of the Special Powers Act
• and a declaration of freedom of political expression.