23 January 1997 Edition

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`Major admits failure' - Adams

Gerry Adams has described as an ``admission of failure'' the statement by John Major that he would return to the Irish peace process ``refreshed and invigorated'' after the British general election.

Speaking in London on Wednesday Major said he would give the process the ``same priority and vigour'' as had done before. Gerry Adams said this is ``a public acknowledgement by Mr Major that the talks process which he constructed at Stormont has failed''.

Pointing to Major's recent record Adams said:

``Three months ago John Hume and I placed before John Major reasonable proposals which were designed to create a credible process of negotiations, against the backdrop of a peaceful environment.

``John Major rejected those proposals, choosing instead to stick with a talks process which he now admits has no integrity and has failed. This is a damning indictment of the British government's approach to the search for peace.

``Peace in Ireland should mean more than hanging on to power for a few extra weeks. John Major should call the election now and allow those of us who want to make peace outr priority to get on with that effort.''

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