OMAGH TRAGEDY PROMPTS ADAMS TO SAY VIOLENCE IS OVER AND DONE WITH AND GONE
Omagh tragedy prompts Adams to say violence 'is over, done with and gone'
Peace process given spur by Sinn Fein
AS OMAGH awaited the arrival of the President of the United States, Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, gave the peace process a spur which many people believe will carry it through its toughest phase so far.
Speaking yesterday, Gerry Adams said that violence must be a thing of the the past and he urged groups still participating in paramilitary activities to immediately desist.
"My position on what happened in Omagh is quite categoric. I have condemned it without equivocation. This appalling act was carried out by those opposed to the peace process."
Mr Adams' statement has been welcomed by the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister and has received a a cautious welcome from pro-Agreement unionists.
Some of the bereaved in the atrocity said at the time that their grief would be made more bearable if they thought that Omagh was the end of it. Yesterday's announcement is the closest the republican movement has come to saying the war is over.
In yesterday's announcement, the Sinn Fein Chairman said his party is committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means to achieve a way forward.
"We have to work politically to make the Omagh bombing the last violent incident in our country, the last incident of this kind."
"Sinn Fein believe the violence we have seen must be for all of us now a thing of the past, over, done with and gone."
Referring to the Good Friday Agreement, he said it had the potential to "Take us forward and we must urgently press on with its implication.
Inclusive and honest dialogue is the only way forward in this country."
The statement has cleared the way for what many believe will be swift political progress and indications earlier this week were that First Minister, David will invite the Sinn Fein President for talks.
Peace process given spur by Sinn Fein
AS OMAGH awaited the arrival of the President of the United States, Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, gave the peace process a spur which many people believe will carry it through its toughest phase so far.
Speaking yesterday, Gerry Adams said that violence must be a thing of the the past and he urged groups still participating in paramilitary activities to immediately desist.
"My position on what happened in Omagh is quite categoric. I have condemned it without equivocation. This appalling act was carried out by those opposed to the peace process."
Mr Adams' statement has been welcomed by the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister and has received a a cautious welcome from pro-Agreement unionists.
Some of the bereaved in the atrocity said at the time that their grief would be made more bearable if they thought that Omagh was the end of it. Yesterday's announcement is the closest the republican movement has come to saying the war is over.
In yesterday's announcement, the Sinn Fein Chairman said his party is committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic means to achieve a way forward.
"We have to work politically to make the Omagh bombing the last violent incident in our country, the last incident of this kind."
"Sinn Fein believe the violence we have seen must be for all of us now a thing of the past, over, done with and gone."
Referring to the Good Friday Agreement, he said it had the potential to "Take us forward and we must urgently press on with its implication.
Inclusive and honest dialogue is the only way forward in this country."
The statement has cleared the way for what many believe will be swift political progress and indications earlier this week were that First Minister, David will invite the Sinn Fein President for talks.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0292
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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