Leak Slammed
Sinn Fein Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin confirmed that the paper
leaked to the media on Wednesday morning 6 May was a copy of the
recommendations which the Ard Chomhairle will be putting to the
Ard Fheis on Sunday.
McLaughlin said, ``The Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle met yesterday and
agreed recommendations to be put to the Ard Fheis on Sunday. We
are currently distributing these to the party organisation and
membership, and the proposed resolutions are to be published in
this weeks edition of An Phoblacht due out
tomorrow.
A Belfast journalist got a copy of the resolutions without
authorisation by the Sinn Fein leadership. I suspect that it may
have been given to him by someone outside of the party as part of
our distribution was by fax.
The Ard Chomhairle is recommending to the Ard Fheis that it
support a ``yes'' vote in both states. This is in context of our
absolute rejection of partition, of the unionist veto and of
Brirish rule. It is our view that the Good Friday Agreement can
be developed. It marks a phase and it is our firm intention to
continue to make advances in the next phase.
The Ard Chomhairle appreciates and understands the difficulties
which a ``yes'' vote presents to some republicans and that they may
wish to vote otherwise. This is reflected in the Ard Chomhairle
resolution.
The Ard Chomhairle is also proposing that the party consitituion
be amended to enable candidates to stand in th elections on the
basis of participation in the Assembly both as a way of ensuring
maximum republican representation in the North/South Council and
with the objective of expanding the all-Ireland structures.
This is in keeping with our view that Sinn Fein must remain at
the centre of the political process.
There are other resolutions arguing for different positions from
within the party. It will be for the Ard Fheis to debate and vote
on these motions.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)