2 April 1998 Edition
UUP silent in Oxford
A Sinn Féin delegation attended a multi party conference in England on the weekend of 22-24 March during which the Ulster Unionist Party refused to engage in any dialogue.
Co-organised by the British Irish Association and Encounter the event was aimed at bringing together politicians from Britain and Ireland to exchange ideas.
The conference, held in Lady Margaret College in Oxford, was focused on the ``inter-relationships between the islands of Ireland and Britain''. Presentations by academics including Professor Joe Lee from University College Cork, and Authur Aughey from Ulster University were followed by brief workshops.
The conference was also addressed by Mo Mowlam. She listed the present ``achievements'' of the British Labour government in the Six Counties, which included the Parades Commission and a white paper on equality and fair employment. She also promised movement on the issue of political prisoners and ``reform'' of the RUC.
Martina McIlkenny, chairperson of Belfast Sinn Fein questioned the decision of the UUP delegates to boycott the workshops because of the presence of Sinn Fein. ``It is bizarre,'' she said, ``that grown adults can behave like such children. Across the board the conference delegates were unanimous in criticising the UUP; they were laughable in their ignorance and immaturity''.
The strongest criticism came from Sinn Fein Youth's national organiser Eoin O'Broin. ``The conference was advertised as an event for young politicians, but only a handful of parties saw fit to send youth delegates.''. He also attacked the ``over-academic approach of the speakers and workshops,'' and asked why was there no opportunity for the young people in attendance ``to tell the likes of Mo Mowlam what we think about her policies and promises''.
The Sinn Fein was led by the party's lobbyist in London, Michelle Gildernew, and included Clonakilty, Co Cork Councillor Cionnaith O Suilleabháin.
Co-organised by the British Irish Association and Encounter the event was aimed at bringing together politicians from Britain and Ireland to exchange ideas.
The conference, held in Lady Margaret College in Oxford, was focused on the ``inter-relationships between the islands of Ireland and Britain''. Presentations by academics including Professor Joe Lee from University College Cork, and Authur Aughey from Ulster University were followed by brief workshops.
The conference was also addressed by Mo Mowlam. She listed the present ``achievements'' of the British Labour government in the Six Counties, which included the Parades Commission and a white paper on equality and fair employment. She also promised movement on the issue of political prisoners and ``reform'' of the RUC.
Martina McIlkenny, chairperson of Belfast Sinn Fein questioned the decision of the UUP delegates to boycott the workshops because of the presence of Sinn Fein. ``It is bizarre,'' she said, ``that grown adults can behave like such children. Across the board the conference delegates were unanimous in criticising the UUP; they were laughable in their ignorance and immaturity''.
The strongest criticism came from Sinn Fein Youth's national organiser Eoin O'Broin. ``The conference was advertised as an event for young politicians, but only a handful of parties saw fit to send youth delegates.''. He also attacked the ``over-academic approach of the speakers and workshops,'' and asked why was there no opportunity for the young people in attendance ``to tell the likes of Mo Mowlam what we think about her policies and promises''.
The Sinn Fein was led by the party's lobbyist in London, Michelle Gildernew, and included Clonakilty, Co Cork Councillor Cionnaith O Suilleabháin.