[Sinn Fein]

27th November 1999

Adams responds to Ulster Unionist Council

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP commenting on the outcome of today's UUC meeting in Belfast said: ``I welcome the decision today to establish the institutions but I am disappointed that Mr. Trimble has stepped outside the Mitchell Review and the Good Friday Agreement by unilaterally introducing a new element, a new deadline, which seeks to dictate and totally undermines and contradicts the agreed role of the IICD.''

Mr. Adams said:

``I welcome the decision today by the Ulster Unionist Council to clear the way for the establishment next week of the Executive and other institutions.

``This press was always going to be a difficult one and I am mindful that the setting up of these institutions has been delayed since the summer of last year.

``I have consistently made it very clear that Sinn Fein wants to work within the new political institutions with unionists. We want to work with them to resolve those difficult issues that continue to divide and separate us. It is by working together that we can totally transform the political landscape.

``I am disappointed that todays motion to the UUC contains an entirely new element. The introduction of a probationary period was never mentioned during the 11 weeks of the Mitchell Review. It is clearly outside the terms of the Mitchell Review and the Good Friday Agreement.

``Under the terms of the Mitchell Review and the Good Friday Agreement the decommissioning issue was to be dealt with by the De Chastelain Commission. By seeking to dictate how and when this is done this new UUP position totally undermines and contradicts the agreed role of the IICD.

``Mr. Trimble is the best judge of how to manage his own party and I know that he has difficulties, but unilaterally introducing new elements and setting up new hurdles is not the way to do business.

``Todays result is progress but it is short-termism and fragmented, instead of strategic and holistic.''ENDS

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