Adams Gesture on IRA rebuffed

[Another Bill C.]

"Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams has told republicans they need to be prepared to remove the IRA and the issue of weapons as an excuse for unionists to block political progress.

"However, despite heralding a potentially historic concession to their demands, unionists have criticised Mr Adams's remarks and have insisted on immediate IRA disbandment.

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"He said it reinforced his concern that political unionism is using the issue of the IRA and of IRA weapons as an excuse to obstruct progress in the peace process.

<snip>

"'I set out a context, involving the two governments and other parties, including Sinn Fein, which could empower the Sinn Fein leadership to persuade republicans to remove that excuse. Is that not also a desirable goal for the unionist parties? Are unionists so afraid of change that they would prefer to see armed groups and political instability continue?'

<snip>

"'If the answer to this is no, that they do want to see an end to armed groups, and they do want to see political stability, do they have any sense of their responsibility and role in bringing this about?'"

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