26 June 1996

Major attempts to establish more pre-conditions

Sinn Fein Vice President, Pat Doherty, commenting on John Major's remarks today, said:

``Mr. Major's remarks are clearly an attempt to establish yet more preconditions on Sinn Fein's entry to inclusive negotiations. The responsibility of Mr. Major and his government is to give political direction and leadership to resolve the conflict, not to uphold and indeed encourage unionists intransigence.

``His remarks reflect the British government's real attitude to the peace process, and reinforce the denial of Sinn Fein's mandate, won through elections that, according to Mr. Major himself, would lead directly to all party talks. The British government's commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through negotiation and agreement has been again called into question. It is clear that the old policy of exclusion has taken precedent and the efforts of those whose priority and commitment are for a real peace process have been seriously undermined.''

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