The IRA announced on Tuesday that it has put some weapons “beyond use” in what is widely seen as a historicbreakthrough for the Northern Ireland peace process. The move could lead to the restoration of Northern Ireland’spower-sharing executive if Unionist parties agree.

But factions on either side of the struggle oppose the demilitarization. Last night two suspected members of adissident republican paramilitary group were arrested in County Down, Northern Ireland, their way to Belfast and inpossession of a sub-machine gun. The arrests came the very day the British Government announced a series of measuresto scale down security in border areas.

Many in Northern Ireland, especially groups such as “Women Together,” have worked for peace through 30 years ofconflict. Goretti Horgan is a human rights and peace activist who helped organize trade union rallies before theceasefire that brought tens of thousands into the streets.

Guest:

• Goretti Horgan, human rights and peace activist in Derry Country, Ireland.