IRA Abandons Armed Struggle

The Irish Republican Army has declared that its war is over. In an official announcement Thurday, the organization said its leadership has "ordered an end to the armed campaign." Its units have been told to dump all weapons and stop any violent activities.

The leaders of Ireland, England, and the United States are all welcoming the move. Protestant activists say they'll wait to see whether the IRA''s promise rings true.

Kevin Cullen has been covering the conflict in Northern Ireland for more than 15 years for the Boston Globe. He's reporting today from Belfast.