The Irish Republican Army announced yesterday that it would disarm immediately. The IRA is not disbanding, but combatants were instructed to place their weapons in "arms dumps" and cease all activities by the end of the day. While many are understandably reserving judgment until weapons are actually collected and until a pattern of nonviolence is observed, this announcement should be applauded for its good intent. If we consider the progression of thought leading to words leading to deeds, this announcement indicates that the IRA leadership has moved through the first two of those steps in its desire for peace. Let's support them in continuing on to the third step, the deeds. Let's support a spirit of nonviolent conflict resolution between the Irish Republicans and the British, as they have much hard work still to do.

Read the CBS News article.