Menu
10/11/2004
Adams blames political deadlock on DUP
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has blamed the current political impasse on the DUP during a meeting with the US Special envoy Mitchell Reiss in Washington today.
Wednesday's talks, which also involved leading Irish-American politician Ted Kennedy, came at the end of Mr Adams' week-long visit to the United States.
Making clear his view that the largest obstacle to progress “was the demands of the DUP to fundamentally change the Good Friday Agreement and their refusal to share power with nationalists”, Mr Adams said: "The impasse at this time in the talks process is the DUP failure to accept the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement and their failure to accept nationalists and republicans on the basis of equality. In particular they have targeted the powersharing and all-Ireland principles of the Agreement.
"The core issues were negotiated and agreed in the Good Friday Agreement. There will be no going back on these positions. That is the new political reality which the DUP has to come to terms with.
“The pro-Agreement majority cannot be expected to stand still while the DUP edge their way into the 21st century. The DUP's refusal to engage and to accept the reality of the Good Friday Agreement cannot be allowed to paralyse the process of change."
Today’s comments follow remarks made by Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who described reports of possible IRA decommissioning by the end of the year as "very near the mark".
Mr Ahern was speaking on Monday as he called on local parties to consider whether it was a sound tactical move to leave the current political process on the back-burner until 2006 if the current window of opportunity was lost following recent discussions.
(MB/SP)
Wednesday's talks, which also involved leading Irish-American politician Ted Kennedy, came at the end of Mr Adams' week-long visit to the United States.
Making clear his view that the largest obstacle to progress “was the demands of the DUP to fundamentally change the Good Friday Agreement and their refusal to share power with nationalists”, Mr Adams said: "The impasse at this time in the talks process is the DUP failure to accept the fundamentals of the Good Friday Agreement and their failure to accept nationalists and republicans on the basis of equality. In particular they have targeted the powersharing and all-Ireland principles of the Agreement.
"The core issues were negotiated and agreed in the Good Friday Agreement. There will be no going back on these positions. That is the new political reality which the DUP has to come to terms with.
“The pro-Agreement majority cannot be expected to stand still while the DUP edge their way into the 21st century. The DUP's refusal to engage and to accept the reality of the Good Friday Agreement cannot be allowed to paralyse the process of change."
Today’s comments follow remarks made by Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern who described reports of possible IRA decommissioning by the end of the year as "very near the mark".
Mr Ahern was speaking on Monday as he called on local parties to consider whether it was a sound tactical move to leave the current political process on the back-burner until 2006 if the current window of opportunity was lost following recent discussions.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
28 February 2023
SF Welcomes Breakthrough Between London And Brussels
Sinn Féin have welcomed the breakthrough between London and Brussels and called for the restoration of NI's political institutions "without delay".
SF Welcomes Breakthrough Between London And Brussels
Sinn Féin have welcomed the breakthrough between London and Brussels and called for the restoration of NI's political institutions "without delay".
29 April 2021
Call For Next DUP leader To Recognise 'Political Landscape In NI Has Changed'
The next DUP leader should "recognise that the political landscape across NI has changed", according to Sinn Fein. Vice President Michelle O'Neill also wished Arlene Foster and her family well after she announced she is to step down as DUP leader and First Minister.
Call For Next DUP leader To Recognise 'Political Landscape In NI Has Changed'
The next DUP leader should "recognise that the political landscape across NI has changed", according to Sinn Fein. Vice President Michelle O'Neill also wished Arlene Foster and her family well after she announced she is to step down as DUP leader and First Minister.
02 July 2021
Govts Urged To Ensure Full Implementation Of Stormont House Agreement
Sinn Féin's MP team has called on both the UK and Irish government to ensure the Stormont House Agreement is implemented in full.
Govts Urged To Ensure Full Implementation Of Stormont House Agreement
Sinn Féin's MP team has called on both the UK and Irish government to ensure the Stormont House Agreement is implemented in full.
25 September 2001
SDLP warn brinkmanship tactics jeopardise assembly
An SDLP politician has warned that brinkmanship politics by both unionists and republicans is threatening the future of the Good Friday Agreement.
SDLP warn brinkmanship tactics jeopardise assembly
An SDLP politician has warned that brinkmanship politics by both unionists and republicans is threatening the future of the Good Friday Agreement.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
