SF exclusion won't work
In the wake of the killing of two RUC members by the IRA in
Lurgan there has been talk of proceeding to negotiations without
Sinn Féin. But the reality is that there can be no negotiations
and no negotiated settlement without the representatives of
nearly 45% of the nationalist people of the Six Counties and of
over 6% of people in the 26 Counties.
The two MPs, the TD and the scores of councillors elected by Sinn
Féin voters on both sides of the border won their mandate on the
basis of a peace strategy which aims at inclusive negotiations.
They represent that section of the Irish people which has
suffered most from the effects of partition and the conflict
which has arisen from British occupation. British Secretary of
State Mo Mowlam has said that the status quo is not an option;
negotiations without those who most need an end to the status quo
are inconceivable.
Speaking to journalists in Belfast on Tuesday Sinn Féin President
Gerry Adams said:
``Our priority is to bring about a permanant peace on this island.
When myself and Martin McGuinness were able along with others to
put propositions to the IRA it was the rationale behind those
propositions, it was the quid pro quo of talks in the event of an
IRA cessation, which persuaded the IRA to call a cessation.
``It wasn't condemnations. It wasn't the vitriol of denunciations
which brought that about. And significantly we brought every
republican with us. The IRA cessation was a genuine cessation
which by any international standards was a very good cessation.
We are totally committed to developing those conditions so that a
lasting peace can be established. That is our focus. That is my
focus today and I won't be deflected from it.''
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