18th December 2002

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Ferris meets with ANC Secretary General to update him on peace process

Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris, who is in South Africa this week to attend the 51st ANC National Conference, this morning met with the party's Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe to update him on the Irish peace process. Deputy Ferris said:

``This morning I met with ANC Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe to update him on the current difficulties in the Irish peace process and the dangers of a prolonged political vacuum. He assured us of the ANC's ongoing support for the peace process and said that they would do everything in their power to see the Agreement implemented in full.

``The last number of months have been very frustrating. There has yet to be any substantial progress in the discussions around the current crisis. It is time for the two governments to give it the sort of urgent and committed political focus that is required.

``We need to see the political institutions re-instated. The British government need to honour their commitments on policing, demilitarisation, human rights and equality and stop trying to use issues that are basic human rights as bargaining chips.

``There are difficult challenges ahead. The South African people have faced similar challenges and succeeded. But the only way to move this process forward is through the implementation of all the outstanding aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. That must remain the focus of the two governments and all of the pro-Agreement parties in the time ahead.''

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