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23 April 1998 Edition

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SF will make up its own mind

Important decisions must be made by all parties and individuals in Ireland over the next number of weeks in light of the Good Friday document.

Sinn Féin views the document as creating a new political scenario and are debating whether it could provide a basis for advancement in the resolution of conflict in Ireland. It is not a settlement.

Nationalist expectations are high in light of the agreement. The disbandment of the RUC, the release of all political prisoners, the withdrawal of the British army, the removal of British military installations in nationalist areas, an end to military surveillance of the nationalist community, the end of sectarian discrimination in employment, the repeal of repressive legislation and equal status for the Irish language and Irish culture and heritage are awaited.

There are elements of the agreement which are unpalatable to nationalists. There are some elements to which republicans could not subscribe. Whether the agreement provides the basis for a transitional route to national democracy and a lasting peace remains to be seen.

Many nationalists have real concerns about the removal of the definition of the national territory from the Irish Constitution and the incorporation in that constitution of the unionist veto. Sinn Féin shares these concerns.

Sinn Féin alone will decide its attitude to the referenda in the Six and 26 Counties. The party will not be press-ganged or harangued into adopting an approach dictated by other political parties. Nor will it be influenced by those sniping at the sidelines in an attempt to score political points.

The tenacity and integrity of Sinn Féin negotiators over recent months and years should have made it clear that the party will make up its own mind and reach its own conclusions on all of the political options which are presented.

Sinn Féin's primary and immediate responsibility is to its own members and to its electorate in both states. Through consultation, dialogue and debate Sinn Féin will come to an informed and democratically arrived at decision.

Referendum should have been postponed



The decision by the Dublin government to hold referenda on the Good Friday document and the Amsterdam Treaty on the same day is a disgrace. Opinion polls have shown that two-thirds of voters in the 26 Counties have never even heard of the Amsterdam Treaty.

The fact that voters will be asked to make decisions on two issues of such huge importance for the future of Ireland on the same day shows the Dublin government's contempt for the electorate.

The Amsterdam Treaty has far-reaching implications and both it and the Good Friday document will take some considerable reading and reflection by voters.

The basis of a true democracy is an informed electorate. In no way could this be said to have existed during referenda in relation to decisions affecting Irish sovereignty and neutrality, most recently the referendum on the Maastricht Treaty. Bertie Ahern's decision is bad for democracy and unfair to the voters of the 26 Counties.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland