ADAMS STATEMENT A PLOY
Adams statement a 'ploy'
By Martina Purdy and Noel McAdam
Unionists are divided over significance
GERRY Adams's declaration that violence must be "over" divided unionists today, with the DUP refusing to attend an all-party meeting at Stormont.
The historic statement from Sinn Fein - which comes on the eve of a visit by US President Bill Clinton - has been dismissed as a cynical ploy by anti-Agreement unionists.
But it received a cautious welcome from the Ulster Unionist leadership and enabled First Minister David Trimble to explore plans to set up government structures.
As the Prime Minister prepared to fly to Belfast tonight, Mr Blair was planning to underscore his welcome for Sinn Fein's statement and stress that the Omagh atrocity should spur fresh opportunities to make progress.
Mr Trimble has now issued an invitation to party leaders next Monday to discuss new government structures and the executive.
While his staff were insisting the two were unrelated because he was obliged by the Assembly, together with Mr Mallon, to consult all parties the timing is being seen as relevant.
Although the Ulster Unionists have sat down around a table with Sinn Fein during talks, and in Assembly committees, this will be the first time that Mr Trimble has been asked to chair a meeting - necessitating direct contact with Mr Adams.
DUP leader Ian Paisley complained he did not receive an invitation - and then said he was not going anyway.
Significantly, UKUP deputy leader Cedric Wilson pointed out it already sat in committees with Sinn Fein and would consider the invitation.
But Mr Paisley said: "They want me there to give Mr Trimble cover so it makes it 'easier for him to do a 'dirty deal' with the IRA. I am not going to be there to ease Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams into the government of Northern Ireland."
Mr Paisley, whose party is entitled to at least two seats in the executive, said the IRA would have to disarm completely, and dismantle before ne would consider sharing power with Sinn Fein.
In the first Sinn Fein statement since Mr Adams remarks, party chairman Mitchel McLaughlin, writing in today's Belfast Telegraph says republicans are putting their confidence in "democratic dialogue".
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is expected to announce Martin McGuinness as its official representative to the international arms decommissioning body.
By Martina Purdy and Noel McAdam
Unionists are divided over significance
GERRY Adams's declaration that violence must be "over" divided unionists today, with the DUP refusing to attend an all-party meeting at Stormont.
The historic statement from Sinn Fein - which comes on the eve of a visit by US President Bill Clinton - has been dismissed as a cynical ploy by anti-Agreement unionists.
But it received a cautious welcome from the Ulster Unionist leadership and enabled First Minister David Trimble to explore plans to set up government structures.
As the Prime Minister prepared to fly to Belfast tonight, Mr Blair was planning to underscore his welcome for Sinn Fein's statement and stress that the Omagh atrocity should spur fresh opportunities to make progress.
Mr Trimble has now issued an invitation to party leaders next Monday to discuss new government structures and the executive.
While his staff were insisting the two were unrelated because he was obliged by the Assembly, together with Mr Mallon, to consult all parties the timing is being seen as relevant.
Although the Ulster Unionists have sat down around a table with Sinn Fein during talks, and in Assembly committees, this will be the first time that Mr Trimble has been asked to chair a meeting - necessitating direct contact with Mr Adams.
DUP leader Ian Paisley complained he did not receive an invitation - and then said he was not going anyway.
Significantly, UKUP deputy leader Cedric Wilson pointed out it already sat in committees with Sinn Fein and would consider the invitation.
But Mr Paisley said: "They want me there to give Mr Trimble cover so it makes it 'easier for him to do a 'dirty deal' with the IRA. I am not going to be there to ease Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams into the government of Northern Ireland."
Mr Paisley, whose party is entitled to at least two seats in the executive, said the IRA would have to disarm completely, and dismantle before ne would consider sharing power with Sinn Fein.
In the first Sinn Fein statement since Mr Adams remarks, party chairman Mitchel McLaughlin, writing in today's Belfast Telegraph says republicans are putting their confidence in "democratic dialogue".
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is expected to announce Martin McGuinness as its official representative to the international arms decommissioning body.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0335
Published Date: 02-Sep-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.