8 August 1996

Internment lesson must be learned

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams commenting on the 25th anniversary of internment which occurs tomorrow said:

``There are many lessons to be drawn from that tragic period of our history, not least, the fact that internment did not work.

``Those who introduced that disastrous policy sought to label this conflict as a security problem requiring a security solution. Indeed there are still those who choose to ignore the history of the past 27 years and who still pursue impractical security solutions to what is obviously a political problem.

``What is clearly needed now is a new initiative for peace which can deliver a negotiated political settlement. To succeed it must be inclusive, based on equality and honest dialogue, and it must address all of the crucial issues and resolve them to everyone's satisfaction. It is obvious that it also requires a time-frame to inject the necessary dynamic for progress.

``British government policy in Ireland has been a succession of failures which have increased divisions and fed the conflict. Internment is just one of those. The lost opportunity of the 18 month IRA cessation is another. The onus is on John Major to put that history of failure behind him and to demonstrate a real preparedness to take risks for peace.''

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