Ceasefire must be anchored - O Caoláin
Newly elected Sinn Fein TD Caoimghin O Caolain has welcomed the
``historic decision'' made by the IRA leadership and its members.
In a statement this week he said:
``It took both courage and imagination, particularly given the
record of British government bad faith and intransigence
following the IRA's August 1994 cessation.
``It is important that everyone realises that this decision came
about following painstaking work on the part of Sinn Féin, who
with others have relentlessly pursued the creation of a new
opportunity for peace, following the collapse of the first peace
process, squandered by the British government.
``A new opportunity for peace now exists. A new British government
has shown it is prepared to listen, to facilitate; a new Dublin
government demonstrates an awareness of its primary role in the
engagements ahead; Sinn Fein's analysis going into negotiations
is strengthened through the free exercise of the people's
franchise, both North and South.
``The time ahead will bring more than its share of difficulties.
Courage and leadership will be required in facing the challenges
of direct negotiations. But face them we must.
``It is important that we all recognise that the new ceasefire is
not an end in itself. Peace must now be worked for. We seek a
real and lasting peace. As Irish republicans it is our certain
view that this objective can best be guaranteed in the context of
an all-Ireland solution. ``There is an onus also on all those in
positions of influence, in the churches in trade unions, women's
organisations and business leaders, indeed everyone must take
ownership of this new chance for peace to ensure that this
opportunity, reconstructed with such difficulty, is not wasted or
taken for granted. The peace process must be anchored and ther
peace talks must make urgent progress.''
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