28/08/2001

Sinn Fein aim to kick start a process to resolve issues

Sinn Fein are to meet with the British Government in a bid to kick start a process to resolve the remaining issues surrounding the Irish and British Governments peace blueprint.

Speaking on Tuesday August 28, Mitchell McLaughlin, Sinn Fein Chairman, said: “The British Government told us that they were suspending the political institutions in order to create a six week period for further progress to be made on the four key areas – policing, demilitarisation, the stability of the political institutions, and the issue of arms.

“Since the suspension of the institutions on 11 August the British Government have sat on their hands. They have organised no meetings, held no discussions, and engaged in no private dialogue.

“Tomorrow’s meeting with the British Government is at our request and we will be discussing in detail the areas in which the British Government’s Implementation Plan still fails to bridge the gap to the Patten proposals.

Mr McLaughlin added: “It is our hope that tomorrow’s meeting will signal the start of an extensive period of dialogue aimed at resolving all of the outstanding issues.” (SP)

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