Gerry Adams commenting on recent developments - 19 September 1994

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams commenting on recent developments today said:

"The removal of the Broadcasting ban and the decision to open ten out of around 250 border crossings is a small but welcome first step by the British government. But other steps need to be taken by Mr Major now.

"The process of demilitarisation must be accelerated. All border roads should be re-opened immediately and compensation paid to local communities whose economic well-being and lives have been detrimentally affected. Militarisation, so apparent in the legal and judicial system, British Army and RUC patrols, watchtowers and heavily-fortified bases, should end.

"At nal opinion. Mr Major has acknowledged the 'very different circumstances' which now exist. He should act on his own assessment.

"Mr Major's reference to a referendum in the Six Counties is both premature and presumptuous. The Six County statelet is an artificial and gerrymandered political entity with an inbuilt and permanent unionist majority. The British government imposed veto based on this artificial majority is both undemocratic and unacceptable.