NORTHERN IRELAND: BELFAST: GERRY ADAMS ADDRESSES PEACE RALLY

(18 Feb 1996) English/Nat

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has warned the British government it was now facing a
"united republican struggle".

Addressing a peace rally in the republican-stronghold of west Belfast, Adams said that while he was offering "the hand of peace" to all parties, Sinn Fein must be immediately involved in all-party peace talks.

Addressing a crowd of several thousand in pouring rain in west Belfast nine days after the Docklands bombing in London, Adams hinted that the I-R-A would continue its armed struggle if needed.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The British government had not defeated the I-R-A when the I-R-A declared a cessation 18 months ago. And there are only two ways of ending conflict - one is that one side seeks to defeat the other side and the other is that it is agreed by everyone to engage in a democratic resolution in a negotiated settlement. That's what the I-R-A leadership were persuaded to offer 18 months ago. They sued for peace. They put it up to John Major to accept the essence and the imperative of that offer and it's that which John Major has refused to do. And let me say clearly, from this platform, that there are lots of reason for Irish republicans to be angry."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President

He called for Republicans to unite in their fight for a unified Ireland.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We - not me, not those of us in leadership - we came together into this peace process united. We are going to face the British government with a united republican struggle, with a united demand for peace. For peace talks now, and for freedom and for justice."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President

Adams claimed that while republicans wanted peace, the responsibility for the breakdown of the I-R-A ceasefire lay entirely with London's refusal to speak to Sinn Fein.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The biggest failure of the last 18 months has been the refusal to talk. That is the biggest, solitary failure, the singular failure of those in high places. The refusal to sit down around a table to try and find some way to resolving the difficulties and the differences between the people of this island."
SUPERCAPTION: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President

Adam's reputation has suffered badly as a result of last week's explosion which killed two people.

Both the British and Irish governments have said their top minister will not meet him and it is believed that the U-S government is considering denying him an American visa.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/c22ca7ff37bdb88d691b0b71f45f09bb

Видео NORTHERN IRELAND: BELFAST: GERRY ADAMS ADDRESSES PEACE RALLY канала AP Archive