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25 June 1997
Our fullest attention and consideration - Adams
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has this evening said that Sinn Fein will give today's proposals by the two governments ``our fullest attention and consideration''.
The Sinn Fein President welcomed the proposal by the two governments to ``remove decommissioning as an obstacle to the commencement of the substantive negotiations''. However he expressed concern that the decommissioning issue will become a block to the negotiation of the substantive issues further down the road. He noted that the ``two governments have committed themselves to ensuring that this will not happen and that decommissioning can be addressed without blocking the negotiations.''
Full Text of Mr. Adams Statement
``As Sinn Fein has already acknowledged this British government has taken up positions which are an advance on those of the last government.
``The Aide Memoire addressed in varying degrees, the four issues which are central to the creation of a meaningful and inclusive process of negotiations. Clarity and detail are of course still necessary on these matters. Presumably, these can be provided without further delay.
``We will give the proposals published today by the two governments our fullest attention and consideration and we welcome the proposal by the two governments to remove decommissioning as an obstacle to the commencement of the substantive negotiations.
``Having said that I remain deeply concerned that the decommissioning issue will become a block to the negotiation of the substantive issues further down the road. We are informed that the two governments have committed themselves to ensuring that this will not happen and that decommissioning can be addressed without blocking the negotiations.
``If this is the case there needs to be a clear understanding of how the British government intends to do this. This is my primary concern.
Tony Blair's speech
``The situation on prisoners and on a whole range of issues of democratic and civil rights, which effect the day to day lives of nationalists, also requires urgent attention. This is critical at this time to building confidence.
``In his speech Mr. Blair gave his view of the outline of a political settlement. I want to state very firmly that this is certainly not Sinn Fein's view and not we are sure the view of other parties to the talks.'' ENDS
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