[Sinn Fein]

3 April 1998

Moment of Truth has arrived

Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness speaking at Castle Buildings this morning said that he believes the ``moment of truth'' has arrived for all of the participants.

Mr. McGuinness made clear that: ``Nationalist entitlements have to be delivered in these negotiations.

The Sinn Fein leader also said: ``The unionists have refused to negotiate with us. But I think that over the course of the next few days, whether they speak to us or not, they will come to realise that they are involved in negotiations not just with the Irish government and the SDLP but also with Sinn Fein. In the coming days the political representatives of unionism will be under no illusion whatsoever that Sinn Fein is a key element in this process and that the agenda which they have to embrace is an inclusive one.

Full Text of Mr. McGuinness's remarks.

``We are here today hopeful that we will see a paper from Senator Mitchell which will allow all of the participants to get down to the business of negotiating the substantive issues.

``We are very encouraged by the reports from London overnight, that the Taoiseach had a positive meeting with the British Prime Minister. We are very hopeful that the results of that will be reflected in the Senator's paper.

``Over the course of the last number of months attempts have been made by the unionists to divide nationalist Ireland. To split Bertie Ahern, Gerry Adams and John Hume. I think they have failed miserably. I think the moment of truth has arrived for the unionists, for the British government, for the Irish government, for Sinn Fein and the SDLP and the other participants.

``We now have to be seriously engaged in inclusive and meaningful negotiations around the core issues which must be resolved if conflict is to become part of our part.

``The Unionists have refused to negotiate with us. But I think over the course of the next few days, whether they speak to us or not, they will come to realise that they are involved in negotiations not just with the Irish government and the SDLP but also with Sinn Fein. In the coming days the political representatives of unionism will be under no illusion whatsoever that Sinn Fein is a key element in this process and that the agenda which they have to embrace is an inclusive one.

``Nationalist entitlements have to be met in these negotiations. There is a massive responsibility on all Irish nationalist leaders at this time. Nationalist Ireland is urging their leaders to stick very firmly together and achieve the equality and justice which nationalists in the north have been denied for generations.''

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