ADAM'S STATEMENT IS BUILDING BLOCK FOR PEACE SAYS MCALEESE
Adams' statement is building block for peace says McAleese
By ANNAMARIA MacENEANEY in Sydney
GERRY Adams's commitment to making violence a thing of the past was yesterday welcomed by President Mary McAleese, on a state visit to Australia.
Speaking in Sydney, President McAleese said the statement by the Sinn Fein leader was another important building block in the peace process.
"He also went on to say that everyone has a responsibility to this process. His contribution today is a very, important part of that. We all share the same responsibility to ensure the peace process should be sustained," she said.
BOMBING
Earlier, in a TV interview, Mrs McAleese said the Omagh bombing had been the lowest part of her life, not alone her Presidency. But she said one of the positive things to emerge from the tragedy was the way people bonded afterwards and the "new political re-alignment" that took place.
"We always knew the Good Friday Agreement would be tested . . . but the people came through. They said to the small violent minority 'Your day is over, you are yesterday's men and women'.
"We've had dark, bleak days, the worst . . . when the torment of Omagh showed us graphically the danger of the death throes of the culture of Ireland. But we are moving inexorably from a long standing culture of conflict to a culture of consensus, and we welcome your friendship during our dark days."
ORPHAN GIRLS
During her visit the President met descendants of orphan girls shipped to Australia during the Famine yesterday in a poignant and symbolic remembrance of the countries' shared histories.
President McAleese said it was appropriate the Famine dead be "rescued" from oblivion in this way. Mrs McAlesse removed the first stone of a commemorative wall at the historic Hyde Park Barracks in the city centre, which is to become National Memorial glass sculpture etched with the names of the orphan girls.
By ANNAMARIA MacENEANEY in Sydney
GERRY Adams's commitment to making violence a thing of the past was yesterday welcomed by President Mary McAleese, on a state visit to Australia.
Speaking in Sydney, President McAleese said the statement by the Sinn Fein leader was another important building block in the peace process.
"He also went on to say that everyone has a responsibility to this process. His contribution today is a very, important part of that. We all share the same responsibility to ensure the peace process should be sustained," she said.
BOMBING
Earlier, in a TV interview, Mrs McAleese said the Omagh bombing had been the lowest part of her life, not alone her Presidency. But she said one of the positive things to emerge from the tragedy was the way people bonded afterwards and the "new political re-alignment" that took place.
"We always knew the Good Friday Agreement would be tested . . . but the people came through. They said to the small violent minority 'Your day is over, you are yesterday's men and women'.
"We've had dark, bleak days, the worst . . . when the torment of Omagh showed us graphically the danger of the death throes of the culture of Ireland. But we are moving inexorably from a long standing culture of conflict to a culture of consensus, and we welcome your friendship during our dark days."
ORPHAN GIRLS
During her visit the President met descendants of orphan girls shipped to Australia during the Famine yesterday in a poignant and symbolic remembrance of the countries' shared histories.
President McAleese said it was appropriate the Famine dead be "rescued" from oblivion in this way. Mrs McAlesse removed the first stone of a commemorative wall at the historic Hyde Park Barracks in the city centre, which is to become National Memorial glass sculpture etched with the names of the orphan girls.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/217
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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