11 December 1997 Edition
Blair to hear republican case
WHEN a Sinn Féin delegation meets Tony Blair today, the British premier will hear the demand for his country to end its claim over the Six Counties, Gerry Adams has said.
Led by the party's two MPs, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, the delegation will impress upon Blair why it is essential he take a leadership role in helping create the conditions for a United Ireland.
Speaking yesterday, Gerry Adams said, ``We will also discuss with Mr Blair the need for the British Government to begin the necessarily speedy process of tackling the symptoms of the conflict. This means moving quickly on the issue of prisoners, demilitarisation and an equality agenda.''
Noting that it is 75 years since Irish republicans last spoke to a British Prime Minister in London, he continued, ``The subsequent imposition of partition failed to resolve the causes of conflict and resulted in almost eight decades of instability, injustice, an absence of democracy, oppression and intermittent conflict.''
Adding that the present generation of republicans is determined to end the unfinished business of this period, he said that today's meeting is an important part of the peace process.
Accompanying the MPs on the delegation are Lucilita Bhreatnach, Martin Ferris, Siobhan O Hanlon, Michelle Gildernew and Richard McAuley.
Led by the party's two MPs, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, the delegation will impress upon Blair why it is essential he take a leadership role in helping create the conditions for a United Ireland.
Speaking yesterday, Gerry Adams said, ``We will also discuss with Mr Blair the need for the British Government to begin the necessarily speedy process of tackling the symptoms of the conflict. This means moving quickly on the issue of prisoners, demilitarisation and an equality agenda.''
Noting that it is 75 years since Irish republicans last spoke to a British Prime Minister in London, he continued, ``The subsequent imposition of partition failed to resolve the causes of conflict and resulted in almost eight decades of instability, injustice, an absence of democracy, oppression and intermittent conflict.''
Adding that the present generation of republicans is determined to end the unfinished business of this period, he said that today's meeting is an important part of the peace process.
Accompanying the MPs on the delegation are Lucilita Bhreatnach, Martin Ferris, Siobhan O Hanlon, Michelle Gildernew and Richard McAuley.