The Labour Party's response to the Report of the International Body on decommissioning, presented on 29 October 1996, emphasizes the need for inclusive and pluralistic dialogue in the Northern Ireland peace process. The document critiques the historical and current handling of decommissioning, questioning why it became a central issue despite its absence in earlier negotiations between the UK government and Sinn Féin. Labour argues that the focus should be on broader social and economic issues, highlighting the deep-seated fear of violence in both Protestant and Catholic communities. The party underscores the importance of involving smaller, progressive parties in the decommissioning debate to foster democratic pluralism. Labour is committed to decommissioning, which it defines as not only the destruction of arms but also the disbandment of paramilitary command structures. The document calls for a parallel approach to decommissioning, confidence-building measures, and the involvement of an objective mechanism like the OSCE to facilitate the process. Labour concludes by advocating for a shift in mindsets to achieve lasting peace in Northern Ireland. [The document was written on 28 October 1996 and presented the next day to the opening plenary].
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