9.12.04
$inn Féin New$
**Damn! Now they are charging to read the news.
December 8, 2004
Gerry Adams responds to British and Irish governments comprehensive agreement
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern published their joint proposals aimed at breaking the impasse in the Peace Process at a press conference in Belfast this afternoon. But Ian Paisley's DUP is still refusing to agree to the deal insisting on his demand for the IRA to submit to a process of humiliation.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams speaking at a press conference in Belfast this evening said that the proposals was a good deal which reflects accurately the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement, including its power-sharing, all-Ireland and equality provisions. He said that the only obstacle is the DUP's unrealisable demand for the humiliation of Irish republicans.
Mr. Adams said: "Firstly, let me begin by repeating Sinn Féin's response to the comprehensive agreement as presented to us by the the governments This is a good deal which reflects accurately the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement, including its power-sharing, all-Ireland and equality provisions. We have, in addition, made progress across a range of other important issues.
"In relation to the issues which the IRA is responsible for, we made it clear throughout the recent discussions that these were a matter for the IRA. However, I am confident that in the context of a comprehensive agreement that the IRA leadership will resolve these issues. This is a huge contribution which should liberate the entire process. All of the issues of substance have been resolved.
"I have listened to the remarks of the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister this afternoon. I believe that their comments have caused some confusion. Let me clarify them. The issue of photographs was first raised in the week before Leeds Castle. We were told by two governments that this was a DUP demand. We told the two governments that in our view this was not achievable. We were shocked on November 17th when this demand appeared in their joint proposals. We made clear from the beginning that this was not a runner.
"The only obstacle which we face is the DUP's unrealisable demand for the humiliation of Irish republicans.
"I welcome the assertion from Tony Blair that the DUP has agreed to this package, although I have not heard him saying this publicly.
"No one should be in any doubt that a mighty piece of work has been done. We must not lose this."
Earlier today Tony Blair said: "I think there is an inevitability about this process which is locked in. I can't see this process going backward but I do know that it's going to require extra effort to finish the journey. This is a transformed landscape in which we operate today but it won't be properly transformed until we have the devolved institutions back up and working again."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern added: "Today is truly different - I don't think it, I know it. We had obviously wished to be able to present the proposals in the context of full agreement before we came here - but that is not possible. We are not quite at that point of total success. Our work must therefore continue to secure agreement and closure and what - by any standards - is a huge, impressive, indeed a landmark package."
A PDF file of the two government's proposals is available at www.nio.gov.uk/media-detail.htm?newsID=10614
Articles may not be reproduced without the consent of the Sinn Féin News. For further information, please contact editor@sinnfeinnews.com
**Damn! Now they are charging to read the news.
December 8, 2004
Gerry Adams responds to British and Irish governments comprehensive agreement
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern published their joint proposals aimed at breaking the impasse in the Peace Process at a press conference in Belfast this afternoon. But Ian Paisley's DUP is still refusing to agree to the deal insisting on his demand for the IRA to submit to a process of humiliation.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams speaking at a press conference in Belfast this evening said that the proposals was a good deal which reflects accurately the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement, including its power-sharing, all-Ireland and equality provisions. He said that the only obstacle is the DUP's unrealisable demand for the humiliation of Irish republicans.
Mr. Adams said: "Firstly, let me begin by repeating Sinn Féin's response to the comprehensive agreement as presented to us by the the governments This is a good deal which reflects accurately the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement, including its power-sharing, all-Ireland and equality provisions. We have, in addition, made progress across a range of other important issues.
"In relation to the issues which the IRA is responsible for, we made it clear throughout the recent discussions that these were a matter for the IRA. However, I am confident that in the context of a comprehensive agreement that the IRA leadership will resolve these issues. This is a huge contribution which should liberate the entire process. All of the issues of substance have been resolved.
"I have listened to the remarks of the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister this afternoon. I believe that their comments have caused some confusion. Let me clarify them. The issue of photographs was first raised in the week before Leeds Castle. We were told by two governments that this was a DUP demand. We told the two governments that in our view this was not achievable. We were shocked on November 17th when this demand appeared in their joint proposals. We made clear from the beginning that this was not a runner.
"The only obstacle which we face is the DUP's unrealisable demand for the humiliation of Irish republicans.
"I welcome the assertion from Tony Blair that the DUP has agreed to this package, although I have not heard him saying this publicly.
"No one should be in any doubt that a mighty piece of work has been done. We must not lose this."
Earlier today Tony Blair said: "I think there is an inevitability about this process which is locked in. I can't see this process going backward but I do know that it's going to require extra effort to finish the journey. This is a transformed landscape in which we operate today but it won't be properly transformed until we have the devolved institutions back up and working again."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern added: "Today is truly different - I don't think it, I know it. We had obviously wished to be able to present the proposals in the context of full agreement before we came here - but that is not possible. We are not quite at that point of total success. Our work must therefore continue to secure agreement and closure and what - by any standards - is a huge, impressive, indeed a landmark package."
A PDF file of the two government's proposals is available at www.nio.gov.uk/media-detail.htm?newsID=10614
Articles may not be reproduced without the consent of the Sinn Féin News. For further information, please contact editor@sinnfeinnews.com
