Top Issue 1-2024

24 April 1997 Edition

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Poised for an historic breakthrough

The next seven days are vitally important for the nationalists of the Six Counties. How they vote will have a direct bearing on the conflict in Ireland. A new British government will study the results with great interest and determine its policy accordingly.

And the message that is being put across loud and clear is that a strong vote for Sinn Féin - and particularly the election of Sinn Féin MPs - is the surest way to open up a new opportunity for peace.

Sinn Féin's analysis is being more and more widely accepted among nationalists. It is that peace with freedom and justice will only come through inclusive talks with no preconditions. Every party to the conflict must sit round the table and deal with the root causes of this war in Ireland. It is an argument which is being put patiently, steadily and in whatever way it can be got across.

It is a message which is being put with great energy by Sinn Féin's tireless band of election workers.

And it is a message which will be put even more strongly by Sinn Féin MPs reinforced by a strong mandate from the nationalist people.

Sinn Féin MPs cannot be ignored. John Major and his Unionist allies have hijacked the word democracy to mean exactly what they want it to mean - the continuation of an undemocratic political arrangement. They can be challenged by building political strength, by confronting them on their own ``democratic'' ground with the support of a sizeable proportion of the nationalist people.

By voting for Sinn Féin, nationalists can be confident that the analysis which will bring a peaceful future to Ireland will be put with energy and eloquence on the back of political strength.

The new British government will then be forced to deal with the elected representatives of the nationalist people. It is the only way to move the peace process forward.

Help create a new opportunity for peace - vote Sinn Féin on 1 May

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