21st January 2002

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Gerry Kelly to lead delegation to Forum for Peace and Reconciliation

Sinn Fein Assembly member and spokesperson on Policing Gerry Kelly will lead Sinn Fein's delegation to the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation tomorrow (Wednesday 22nd) in Dublin Castle. He will be joined by former Six County Health Minister Bairbre de Brún, Seán Crowe TD, Mary Lou McDonald and Short Strand Councillor Joe O'Donnell.

The theme of this meeting of the Forum is Inter-Group relations in Northern Ireland and is scheduled to take place from 10.30am to 4pm.

Speaking in advance of the meeting Mr. Kelly said:

``Tomorrows meeting of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation will provide us all with the opportunity to hear first hand the concerns and experiences of people living in interface areas.

``Sinn Fein has always promoted and encouraged inter-community dialogue as a necessary step to resolving our differences and we believe that this meeting of the Forum will faciliate that process further. It is however regrettable that it is now taking place against the backdrop of the suspended institutions and the recent PUP descision to end its contact with my party.  Sinn Fein remains committed to reaching out and engaging in dialogue with the Unionist community. We need the leadership of Unionism to do the same.'' ENDS

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