Dr. Kevin Cassidy, professor of politics at Fairfield University who teaches a course on Northern Ireland, says the IRA's offer to destroy its arms is perhaps as historic a breakthrough as the Good Friday Agreement itself, signed in 1998 with the help of former Senator George Mitchell.

In the past the IRA has offered to have its arms observed and recorded, leading to a stalemate and the Protestant side calling for a dismantling and rewriting of the Good Friday agreement. This step by the IRA removes those objections, Dr. Cassidy says, and makes it possible to move ahead with other provisions of the agreement, including a government that is run by Protestants and Catholics, rather than people in England.

Dr. Cassidy is available today until 1 p.m. and then after 3:30 p.m. Please call Nancy Habetz at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2647 to arrange an interview.

Dr. Cassidy is professor of politics at Fairfield University. A graduate of Catholic University, he holds a master's degree from Hunter College and a Ph.D. from City University of New York.

Posted On: 08-15-2001 09:08 AM

Volume: 34 Number: 27