11 June 1998 Edition
Positive message gains support
Sinn Féin are sending out a very positive message in the Six County Assembly election and there is evidence that it is gaining support among a broad spectrum of nationalists. If this can be transformed into seats, it could make this a truly historic election.
Sinn Féin has said they are committed to working every aspect of the Good Friday Agreement and playing a full part in the Assembly, the Executive and the all-Ireland Ministerial council.
``These institutions can be the powerhouses which will shape a new political future for all the people of this island,'' Gerry Adams said on Wednesday night. ``Sinn Féin will be at the centre of power and we will play a meaningful role on those bodies. We will play the same pivotal role that we played in negotiations.''
It is a message which has enthused Sinn Féin's election workers and is well-received on the doorsteps. That is no surprise. Sinn Féin representatives are the only representatives guaranteed to work for the maximum change based on equality and justice.
There are two weeks left to polling day. It is an important two weeks which must be used to get this message across to the voters. Already there are more Sinn Féin election workers than at any other election. They must keep up the work. The message is simple: change is coming. Help make it real change that will bring peace with justice by electing Sinn Féin candidates.
There have been numerous complaints over the last week about crown force harassment of Sinn Féin election workers. A couple of points are worth making.
First, Sinn Féin election workers will not be intimidated. This harassment - holding party workers at checkpoints, searching people and vehicles and rifling through election literature - is time-consuming and annoying but it will not deter the most enthusiastic electoral machine on this island.
Second, this behaviour shows up the deeply undemocratic nature of the crown forces. They have within their ranks the most active opponents of change. But far-reaching change there will be - and it must include the withdrawal of the British Army and the disbandment of the RUC.
Sinn Féin has said they are committed to working every aspect of the Good Friday Agreement and playing a full part in the Assembly, the Executive and the all-Ireland Ministerial council.
``These institutions can be the powerhouses which will shape a new political future for all the people of this island,'' Gerry Adams said on Wednesday night. ``Sinn Féin will be at the centre of power and we will play a meaningful role on those bodies. We will play the same pivotal role that we played in negotiations.''
It is a message which has enthused Sinn Féin's election workers and is well-received on the doorsteps. That is no surprise. Sinn Féin representatives are the only representatives guaranteed to work for the maximum change based on equality and justice.
There are two weeks left to polling day. It is an important two weeks which must be used to get this message across to the voters. Already there are more Sinn Féin election workers than at any other election. They must keep up the work. The message is simple: change is coming. Help make it real change that will bring peace with justice by electing Sinn Féin candidates.
Harassment won't work
There have been numerous complaints over the last week about crown force harassment of Sinn Féin election workers. A couple of points are worth making.
First, Sinn Féin election workers will not be intimidated. This harassment - holding party workers at checkpoints, searching people and vehicles and rifling through election literature - is time-consuming and annoying but it will not deter the most enthusiastic electoral machine on this island.
Second, this behaviour shows up the deeply undemocratic nature of the crown forces. They have within their ranks the most active opponents of change. But far-reaching change there will be - and it must include the withdrawal of the British Army and the disbandment of the RUC.