Address by Gerry Adams

The IRA has created a momentus opportunity to move the situation forward. All ofus have a heavy responsibility to respond with imagination, generosity and flexibility and to turn the potential for a lasting peace into a reality.

There is also a need for a mechanism to monitor this new situation.

Sinn Féin has been investigating ways to have the Peace Process monitored. We will return to this issue in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, I would appeal to community and non-party political groups throughout the Six Counties to establish a facility for people to record the behaviour of British Crown Forces and their allies in the loyalist death squads. This is particularly important given the murders in recent days.

Inclusive Negotiations Now

The first crucial step in conflict resolution strategy is dialogue.

Britain should immediately acknowledge Sinn Féin's democratic rights and electoral mandate.

A process of inclusive negotiations, without vetos, without preconditions and without any pre-determined outcome is essential now if the issues which give rise to conflict are to be successfully resolved.

In this way the necessary changes can be agreed openly and democratically. That work should begin now. It is Sinn Féin's intention, to the very best of our ability, to make our involvement in negotiations an inclusive one. We wish to see a transformation of Irish society. The process of deciding this transformation - of deciding the type of society we need, must involve people in democratic discussion.

Sinn Féin therefore, will attempt to initiate a consultative process. The people need to be consulted about negotiations. Negotiations cannot take place above the heads or behind the backs of people.

Fundamental Change

The Sinn Féin agenda for the process of transforming Ireland has a number of Irish Freedom is not over. There is much hard work to be done and every one has a part to play in bringing our effort to a successful conclusion.

There will be many pressures on the peace process. We must remain calm and focus our efforts on building peace based on freedom justice and equality.

There should be immediate and effective movement to end religious discrimination. There should be an immediate end to cultural discrimination. The rights of gaelgeorà must be fully recognised.

Political vetting of community groups must be ended.

Demilitarisation

The entire process of demilitarisation should begin immediately. The cratered and closed border roads should be opened. Collusion with the loyalist death squads must be stopped. Full information and proper provision of physical security for those targeted as a result of collusion should be provided as a matter of the utmost urgency.

Crown forces, including the RUC, are not acceptable in nationalist areas. There should be an end to raids, searches and arrests.

Irish Freedom is not over. There is much hard work to be done and every one has a part to play in bringing our effort to a successful conclusion.

There will be many pressures on the peace process. We must remain calm and focus our efforts on building peace based on freedom justice and equality.