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December 01, 2004

News 12/01/04 - SF Final Representations to Govts

News about Ireland and the Irish

SF 12/01/04 SF Mades Final Representations On Govts' Text
SF 12/01/04 Gerry Adams Keynote Speech: Decision Time

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http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/7632

Sinn Féin Has Made Final Representations On Governments' Text

A Sinn Féin delegation today travelled to Downing Street for
discussions with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and
senior officials. The Sinn Féin delegation was led by party
President Gerry Adams and included Martin McGuinness, Mitchel
McLaughlin, Joe Reilly, Caitriona Ruane, Michelle Gildernew,
Gerry Kelly and Mitchel McLaughlin.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Adams said that as far as he
was concerned Sinn Féin 'had made its final representations
on the governments text'.

Mr Adams said:

" As far as we are concerned we have made our final
representations on the governments' text. We look to both
governments to make sure that it is in line with their own
criteria, that is, that it upholds the fundamentals of the
Good Friday Agreement.

" The two governments are absolutely clear about Sinn Féin's
view of their draft outline for a comprehensive agreement.
Our party made our initial response when we received the
document from the Taoiseach on 17th November. We gave this in
writing to the two governments the next day. The criteria for
our judgment on this document was also made clear. That is,
that it needs to be bedded in the Good Friday Agreement and
capable of delivering the Agreement.

" We also look to DUP leader, Ian Paisley, to face up to his
responsibilities to join in the collective challenge of peace
making.

" His refusal to talk to us makes this very difficult. His
recent provocative remarks compound this. They also provide a
rationale for his refusal thus far to embrace the power
sharing, all-Ireland and equality fundamentals of the Good
Friday Agreement.

" Ian Paisley set out concerns about the issue of IRA
weapons. Sinn Féin believes that this matter can be dealt
with to the satisfaction of all reasonable people in the
context of a comprehensive agreement. This can only be done
under the tutelage of the IICD.

" A deal is still possible. An accommodation, a partnership
of equals, cannot be built through a process of humiliation.
Our focus is on achieving a deal. But it is only possible in
the terms of the Good Friday Agreement."

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Gerry Adams Keynote Speech: Decision Time

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP will tonight address a
Sinn Féin selection convention in Navan, County Meath. In his
address Mr Adams will deal with the current situation in the
political negotiations.

Mr. Adams said: "As far as we are concerned we have made our
final representations on the governments‚ text. We look to
both governments to make sure that it is in line with their
own stated position, that it upholds the fundamentals of the
Good Friday Agreement. The DUP leader, Ian Paisley, also
needs to face up to his responsibilities to join in the
collective challenge of peace making."

Mr. Adams goes on to say "At this point in the negotiations
one of the most important issues to be resolved is the DUPs
refusal to do this. This unwillingness to share power with
Sinn Féin, to accept Sinn Féin's democratic mandate, and to
respect the rights and entitlements of our electorate is a
block on efforts to move forward. The DUP have not only
refused to declare their willingness to accept the power-
sharing core of the Good Friday Agreement, but their refusal
to share power in Ballymena, Lisburn, Castlereagh and other
local councils is the most practical evidence of their
position.
The DUP demands are not acceptable to Sinn Féin. They should
not be acceptable to the two governments.

Sinn Féin is determined to defend the Agreement and to ensure
that any deal is entrenched in the principles of
powersharing, inclusivity and equality, and the all-Ireland
institutions which are the bedrock of the Good Friday
Agreement. Ian Paisley says he wants a fair deal. So do we.
The Good Friday Agreement is that fair deal.

He concluded "In my view all of these outstanding matters can
be resolved if the governments are genuinely committed to the
Good Friday Agreement. A deal is still possible. But an
accommodation - a partnership of equals - cannot be built
through a process of humiliation. Our focus is on achieving a
deal. In every negotiation there is a time when you have to
call it. For Ian Paisley that time is now."

The full text of Mr Adams speech follows.

" We are at a defining point in the peace process. The last
months, weeks and days have seen accelerating discussions,
involving the DUP for the first time, about a comprehensive
agreement which would see all outstanding matters dealt with
and the Good Friday Agreement implemented in full. The
discussion of the issues has been detailed, thorough and
exhaustive. In my opinion these discussion can go no further
- it is now time for a decision.

The two governments are absolutely clear about Sinn Féin‚s
view of their draft outline of a comprehensive agreement. Our
party made our initial response when we received the document
from the Taoiseach on 17th November. We gave our response in
writing to them the next day. The criteria for our judgement
on this document were also made clear. That is, that the
proposals need to be bedded in the Good Friday Agreement and
capable of delivering the Agreement in full.

As far as we are concerned we have made our final
representations on the governments‚ text. We look to both
governments to make sure that it is in line with their own
stated position, that it upholds the fundamentals of the Good
Friday Agreement.

The DUP leader, Ian Paisley, also needs to face up to his
responsibilities to join in the collective challenge of peace
making.

His refusal to talk to Sinn Féin makes this very difficult.
His recent remarks compound these difficulties. They also
explain his refusal to embrace the power sharing, all-Ireland
and equality fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement.

A DUP demand for the humiliation of republicans is not only
unacceptable, it will not happen and it has no place in a
process of peace making. The days of humiliation, of second-
class citizens and of inequality are over and gone forever.
If the DUP want to be part of a new and shared future, they
will have to replace the mindset of humiliation with a new
psychology of accommodation and generosity.

Unionist leaders have set out concerns about the issue of IRA
weapons. Sinn Féin believes that this matter can be dealt
with to the satisfaction of all reasonable people in the
context of a comprehensive agreement and under the remit of
the IICD.

Sinn Féin's approach in this phase of the process has been
two fold. We are trying to get the DUP on board. We are also
seeking to ensure that any proposals from the governments,
and any agreement emerging out of these discussions, are
rooted firmly in the Good Friday Agreement. The governments‚
proposals have to be about delivery of the Agreement. They
have to defend the democratic wishes and mandate of the
electorate, north and south.

Under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, parties
have to vote for the nominees for the joint office of the
First and Deputy First Ministers. At this point in the
negotiations one of the most important issues to be resolved
is the DUPs refusal to do this. This unwillingness to share
power with Sinn Féin, to accept Sinn Féin's democratic
mandate, and to respect the rights and entitlements of our
electorate is a block on efforts to move forward. The DUP
have not only refused to declare their willingness to accept
the power-sharing core of the Good Friday Agreement, but
their refusal to share power in Ballymena, Lisburn,
Castlereagh and other local councils is the most practical
evidence of their position.

The DUP demands are not acceptable to Sinn Féin. They should
not be acceptable to the two governments.

Sinn Féin is determined to defend the Agreement and to ensure
that any deal is entrenched in the principles of
powersharing, inclusivity and equality, and the all-Ireland
institutions which are the bedrock of the Good Friday
Agreement. Ian Paisley says he wants a fair deal. So do we.
The Good Friday Agreement is that fair deal.

Mr. Paisley‚s recent remarks, including his desire to
"humiliate" republicans, to have republicans "wear sackcloth
and ashes", and his party's constant use of offensive
language, particularly in describing republicans as criminals
and gangsters, is not the language of peace making.
Republicans can find a lot to object to about being in
government with the DUP. Both our party and Ian Paisley's
have a lot to do to make this process a success. But the
prize of a just and lasting peace demands that of all
responsible political leaders. In this spirit it is worth
remembering that the least said, the soonest mended.

So there are clear difficulties for Ian Paisley in coming to
terms with the principles and ethos and commitments contained
in the Good Friday Agreement and which underpin current
efforts.

I rehearse all of this tonight not as an obstacle to finding
an agreement with the DUP - nor as a rebuttal to his remarks
against republicans - but to remind everyone of the journey
which the DUP has to make, in a very short time, if we are to
achieve a comprehensive agreement and I do so also because I
am looking for continued support from republican Ireland for
Sinn Féin's efforts to secure this.

Going into government with the DUP will be a huge challenge
for republicans. Republican patience with how unionism deals
with the political institutions, and with key issues like
equality and human rights, will be tested because, obviously,
there will be a battle a day on these matters. So lets face
up to all of this with our eyes wide open.

But this phase of these discussions has to be brought to a
conclusion. If the DUP is not up for a deal then the two
governments have to come forward with proposals to move the
process forward, if the DUP refuses to engage properly, then
the two governments must move ahead without them. The process
of change cannot be frozen because rejectionist unionism
refuses to come to terms with the new political realities.
Political unionism cannot be allowed to veto the fundamental
rights of citizens or to veto other changes necessary for the
development of a peaceful society.

In this context the British and Irish governments will have
to promote a new, imaginative and dynamic alternative in
which both governments will share power in the north. The
Good Friday Agreement and the basic rights and entitlements
of citizens that are enshrined within it must be defended and
actively promoted by London and Dublin.

In my view all of these outstanding matters can be resolved
if the governments are genuinely committed to the Good Friday
Agreement. A deal is still possible. But an accommodation - a
partnership of equals - cannot be built through a process of
humiliation. Our focus is on achieving a deal. In every
negotiation there is a time when you have to call it. For Ian
Paisley that time is now."ENDS

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