DUBLIN, Ireland, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The political arm of the Irish Republic Army has voted to cooperate with the pro-British Northern Irish police in what observers say is a historic decision.
With the vote Sunday, a key obstacle to peace in Northern Ireland has been removed.
"Today, you have created the potential to change the political landscape on this island forever," Gerry Adams, the head of Sinn Fein and a former IRA commander, told a party conference of more than 2,000 delegates, according to the BBC.
London had promised ahead of the vote to reduce the influence of the British intelligence service MI5 in the province. The Democratic Unionist Party, the largest Protestant party in Northern Ireland, is now expected to announce its willingness to enter a dialogue with Sinn Fein.
Together with Irish Premier Bertie Ahern, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has pushed for new elections for the Northern Irish Parliament in March; both leaders hope the Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party join forces in a regional government that brings peace to Northern Ireland.
A previous government between both parties broke down in 2002 when Sinn Fein refused to back the disarmament of the IRA.
