26th June 2002

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McLaughlin comments on `IRA intelligence files' allegation

Commenting on this evenings BBC report on alleged `IRA intelligence files' Sinn Fein Chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin said:

``It is vitally important that everyone remember that the source of this story, and of the other similar stories we have seen in recent months, are the samem people who planned and conspired with loyalist death squads to kill political opponents, hundreds of catholics, protestants and lawyers Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson.

``They have no integrity. They have no credibility. Their agenda is to destroy the peace process. They must not be alowed to succeed.

``Nationalists and republicans will not be surprised by this evenings report coming as it does on the heels of the embarassing revelations into institutionalised collusion between British intelligence, military and RUC and loyalsit death squads which resulte4d in the deaths of hundreds of catholics.

``That it took the PSNI three months to discover this alleged list and issue warnings will not be lost on most sensible people.

``Its production and timing is clearly linked to the concerted efforts of the spy master and spooks within the British system who are determined to undermine the peace process and to further confuse unionist opinion through the drip feeding of unsubstantiated allegations.''

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