The IRA decommissioned more weapons in a move that represents progress toward a lasting peace, although Protestant “loyalists” dismissed the move as political posturing. Despite such accusations, decommissioning has been the main stumbling block to peace all along, so this action can only help. Loyalist paramilitaries were behind three nights of riots in North Belfast recently, a district that should be avoided. A Protestant march on Easter Monday through the district occurred without incident. The parade was the first in the annual “marching season” which climaxes in July, and is a source of friction between the Catholic and Protestant communities.
