Sinn Fein launch Yes vote
On Friday 15 May, Sinn Fein launched its Yes campaign for the
upcoming referenda on the Good Friday document. Party chairperson
Mitchel McLaughlin, underlining the leading role that Sinn Fein
has played in transforming the political landscape, called on
people to ``recognise the unprecedented opportunity'' ahead.
McLaughlin also spoke of the challenges that faced all of those
in political leadership, especially the British government. He
noted the ``mighty and immeasurable'' decision taken at last week's
reconvened Ard Fheis and pointed out the need to appreciate the
``significance and pain'' it had caused many republicans.
He spelt out the objectives that Sinn Fein would pursue in the
weeks and months ahead as a requisite for building a lasting
peace. ``Peace needs equality and justice, constitutional change,
demilitarisation, a new unarmed police service, the release of
all political prisoners, democratic and cultural rights''.
Meanwhile, reacting to Tony Blair's speech made at the Balmoral
show last week, which was aimed at winning over wavering
unionists, McLaughlin said ``the decisions taken at the Ard Fheis
were difficult. They were taken in good faith. We expect good
faith in return''.
Gerry Adams said attempts to introduce ``new preconditions on the
rights of the Sinn Fein electorate and participation'' were
``totally unacceptable''. He said, ``mechanisms of change need to
deliver change. Justice delayed or diluted is justice denied.''
The Sinn Fein President stressed that ``nationalist rights are not
concessions for unionism or the British government to give or
withhold.''
Meanwhile SF Upper Falls Councillor Chrissie McAuley told a group
of young people on Sunday 17 May, that the shared task ahead was
to build a future where ``distrust, misunderstanding and suspicion
is behind us''. She said, ``the key is change. Change in all its
facets - constitutional, political, social, cultural and
economic.'' She said, ``clearly, change is coming. This is a
watershed moment which should be seized by everyone.''
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