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13 May 1996
Speculation unhelpful
Responding to media speculation that a new IRA cessation is imminent, the Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said:
"In my opinion there is little basis for the speculation, fuelled mainly by British government sources, that a renewal of the IRA cessation is, at this time, imminent.
"Sinn Fein is working on a daily basis to restore the peace process but that is not our responsibility alone. The British government also has a crucial role and responsibility. Every remark by a republican spokesperson and every other development, for example the transfer of prisoners, is being made a part of the ceasefire speculation. All of this is most unhelpful.
"The main lesson of the last few years is that a cessation does not mean peace. Peace requires justice and this can only be established through a real negotiations process. A real negotiations process requires a full, focussed and committed engagement by Mr. Major.
"Whatever the IRA does Sinn Fein has a right to be at the talks table. We have an electoral mandate. We are fighting the election to renew that mandate and it is up to the two governments to acknowledge and recognise the rights of all sections of the electorate. A talks process is meaningless unless it is inclusive."
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