(9 Sep 1997) English/Nat
Sinn Fein, the Irish Republican Army's political wing, renounced the use of violence for political purposes on Tuesday and said they were ready to join the bargaining table.
But they don't have many people to talk to.
Pro-British parties so far are refusing to sit down with Sinn Fein leaders despite them signing the so-called Mitchell principles on peace and democracy.
Sinn Fein, the I-R-A's political wing arrived at Stormont on Tuesday preparing to sign a declaration renouncing violence and assuring itself of a place in historic peace talks on Northern Ireland next week.
The unprecedented development came 51 days after the Irish Republican Army stopped its campaign against British rule of Northern Ireland.
The move represents a key step toward getting all factional leaders around the same negotiating table.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There have been considerable delays in the process getting to this point. We hope that will end this morning. We are here on the basis of our electoral mandate and our Republican analysis. We want to see all the parties engage in meaningful talks in this process. We want to see the British government in particular moving it forward and see a substantial discussion of the core issues. And we especially want to see the unionist section of our people represented here, joining with the rest of our people in working on a future to be based on justice and a lasting peace."
SUPER CAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader
Lord Alderdice from the non-aligned Alliance party said he hoped Sinn Fein was serious about their commitment.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I very much hope that they will come in today and that they will commit themselves to the Mitchell principle not only in word, but out of a sense of conviction that democracy is the only constructive way forward for Northern Ireland, for this island as a whole and for the people of these islands."
SUPER CAPTION: Lord Alderdice, Leader of Alliance Party
Despite Sinn Fein's announcement, the five party leaders of Northern Ireland's pro-British Protestant majority refused to attend Tuesday's deliberations at Stormont.
And members of the Progressive Unionists and Ulster Democratic Party, which represent the paramilitary U-D-A and U-V-F, also confirmed they would not be attending the session.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We're not prepared to take part in a sham because we don't trust Sinn Fein. We don't trust the I-R-A. And we're not going to take part in today's proceedings. We haven't decided whether we'll be here for the plenary session next week. There's a lot of indecision within the party."
SUPER CAPTION: John White, Ulster Democratic Party
With the three main Unionist parties also out, one side of the negotiating table was empty as the republican leadership finally took their seats at Castle Buildings in Belfast.
But at a press conference later in the day, former U-S Senator George Mitchell and talks chairman said the prospects for peace looked better now than at any time since he joined the process.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I believe the prospects today are better than they have been at any time since I have been involved in Northern Ireland, and that is a period of approximately two and a half years. As I said earlier, in my opening remarks, this is the first time in the modern history of Northern Ireland that there has been in place at the same time, both negotiations and a cease fire. I believe that's a significant step forward although I acknowledge that the difficult steps remain to be taken."
SOUNDBITE: (English)
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
