[Sinn Fein]

29 August 1997

The Republican Analysis will be at the Negotiations

Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Mid Ulster MP Martin Mc Guinness responding to the British Secretary of State's invitation to Sinn Fein to take part in the negotiations said:

``We are now at the point we should have reached almost three years ago. Sinn Fein involvement in the negotiations derives from our democratic mandate. We should never have been excluded. Participation in the negotiations is not a privilege to be given or withheld, it is a democratic right and duty.''

``We will enter the negotiations on September 15th as an Irish Republican party seeking to end British jurisdiction in our country; to bring an end to partition, and to secure National self determination for all of the Irish people.''

``The fact is that this state has existed in a permanent state of emergency for almost eighty years. The status quo has failed. Partition has failed. British policy in Ireland has failed.''

``That these negotiations are taking place is an acknowledgement of these failures. We will enter the negotiations seeking fundamental constitutional and political change; equality for all our citizens and a complete demilitarisation of the situation''.

``Our positive and constructive contribution to search for peace, through the Irish peace initiative and the Peace Process, is a matter of public record. We will engage in these negotiations in good faith and with the intention of listening to the views of others.''

``Clearly we have an awesome task before us . I am convinced that the vast majority of people on this island want us to succeed. I would therefore appeal to David Trimble to take up his duty and responsibilities in all of this and accept the demands of his constituents to come to the negotiations on September 15th and face to face find an accomodation which can win and secure the support of all our people.''

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