[Sinn Fein]

4 September 1998

Implement the Agreement Speedily

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP today attended a special lunch to mark the visit of President Clinton to Dublin. He welcomed President Clinton's support for the speedy implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Adams also had a brief meeting with the Taoiseach Mr Ahern.

Speaking after today's event Mr. Adams said he expected that ``the First Minister David Trimble will move to regularise the relationship between his office as First Minister and the Sinn Fein party.

``This means more than going through the formality of meetings.

``It means dealing with us on the basis of our mandate and in keeping with the commitments which Mr Trimble entered into when he signed the Good Friday Agreement.

``There is a certain resentment among many nationalists and republicans at what they see as the hectoring and ungracious tone of Mr Trimble's recent remarks and less than generous response to Sinn Fein's latest initiatives.

``While there is some justification for this frustration Sinn Fein believes that the attitude of unionism, and especially of its political leadership, is underpined by its refusal to fully embrace a programme of change.

``I have made it clear in my meetings yesterday with President Clinton and Prime Minister Tony Blair and today with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that real progress demands the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and that the next phase is to get all of the institutions established under the Agreement quickly and urgently.

``The visit by President Clinton has provided a much need catalyst for the peace process. I am satisfied from my engagements in recent days that there is an appreciation of the imperative for all citizens to be treated equally.''ENDS

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