10 April 1996

Sinn Fein address INTO fringe meeting

Speaking to a fringe meeting at the INTO annual conference in Belfast's Europa Hotel this evening, Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle member Jim Gibney said:

``The British government's mishandling of the peace process has created a deep sense of despair amongst the leaders of nationalist opinion throughout Ireland. the British government have effectively suppressed the momentum towards a comprehensive negotiated settlement and replaced this fundamental requirement with the prospect of an election dog-fight.

``The election and the date set for talks on the 10th June are diversions away from the need to rebuild a credible peace process. They are not a serious attempt by the British government to advance the situation; they are in fact undermining the declared objectives.

``The electorate aren't interested in an election because they do not see it as contributing to the search for a peaceful accord amongst the people of Ireland; it is a waste of time, effort and finance.

``The 10th June talks are a charade because the British government are excluding Sinn Fein despite the fact that they know there cannot be a negotiated settlement without republicans.

``The only election the British government should be considering is a Westminster election; until a new administration is in place, which does not depend on the votes of the unionists there is little prospect of breaking out of the current impasse.''

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