Fed: Sinn Fein MP says govt should lead conflict resolution

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
Fed: Sinn Fein MP says govt should lead conflict resolution

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - The lion's share of responsibility for resolving conflict with
minority groups lay with government, Northern Ireland MP Martin McGuinness said today.

Mr McGuinness, a member of Sinn Fein, said it was the oppressors, rather than the oppressed,
who needed to learn from the successes of peace processes around the world.

"I think we have a responsibility to them to make our own particular contribution to
ensure that there will be a meaningful peace process," he told a National Press Club lunch
in Canberra.

"But I do have to say that the principal responsibility lies with government, who should
be dealing with, in a very genuine and sincere way, the issue of how to resolve conflict."

Mr McGuinness said conflict around the world could only be resolved when leaders recognised
they had a key role to play in bringing it to an end.

"So the responsibility is all over the place, but in my view it is principally with
government," he said.

Mr McGuinness said despite the gains made in recent years, Ireland's peace process
was still under a cloud.

"The present attempt to disenfranchise Sinn Fein voters, to sanction Sinn Fein ministers
and to undermine the critical all-Ireland element of the Good Friday Agreement is unacceptable,"

he said.

"But despite the deep and dangerous difficulties that we again face, I am convinced
that the peace process can and must be saved.

"And, despite the recurring crises, incredible progress has already been made."

Mr McGuinness praised Foreign Minister Alexander Downer's positive attitude towards
the peace process, and thanked Sinn Fein's supporters in Australia.

AAP jb/daw/cjh

KEYWORD: IRELAND AUST

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