01/10/2001
Sinn Féin president denounces terrorism
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has denounced terrorism as “ethically indefensible” at his party’s annual conference in Dublin.
In view of the recent attacks in America Mr Adams addressed the terrorist atrocities in New York and Washington first in his opening speech to his party delegates and visiting US ambassador Richard Egan.
Speaking to a sombre packed hall in the RDS the Sinn Féin president said: “Terrorism is ethically indefensible. Those responsible for the atrocities in the United States must be brought to justice.
“What happened in New York and Washington and Pennsylvania was, as the UN Human Rights Commissioner and former Irish President Mary Robinson said; `A crime against humanity.”
“This Ard Fheis meets at a time that is deeply sombre, from any point of view. Whether you stand in Ardoyne, or America or Afghanistan reflecting on the peace process here or the massacre in Manhattan it is hard to avoid a foreboding about what lies ahead. Hope seems to sink and apprehension seems to grow, but we cannot afford to succumb to despair. For the true political activist the only choice is struggle not acquiescence. The only direction is forward.”
“I have no illusions about any of this and I know my commitment is shared by the Sinn Féin leadership. From within the broad republican constituency we are working for the day when all the armed groups, including the IRA, cease to be.”
Commenting on Mr Adams speech deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Peter Robinson, said: “The death of someone in an attack on Canary Wharf or in Belfast is no different to someone being blown up in New York or Washington.
“He is indulging in schizophrenic terrorism, whereby, if you are involved, its good terrorism; if its somebody else, its bad terrorism.”
Anti-Agreement Ulster Unionist Jeffrey Donaldson said: “I do not think anyone will be convinced by these duplicitous statements from Gerry Adams, when the organisation to which he is linked has in turn been linked to international terrorism and his conference linked to other terror groups.
Several groups protested outside the Sinn Féin conference. Enniskillen Poppy Day massacre victim Jim Dixon staged a protest, as did the Head of the Families Acting for Innocent Relatives Group, Willie Frazer. (AMcE)
In view of the recent attacks in America Mr Adams addressed the terrorist atrocities in New York and Washington first in his opening speech to his party delegates and visiting US ambassador Richard Egan.
Speaking to a sombre packed hall in the RDS the Sinn Féin president said: “Terrorism is ethically indefensible. Those responsible for the atrocities in the United States must be brought to justice.
“What happened in New York and Washington and Pennsylvania was, as the UN Human Rights Commissioner and former Irish President Mary Robinson said; `A crime against humanity.”
“This Ard Fheis meets at a time that is deeply sombre, from any point of view. Whether you stand in Ardoyne, or America or Afghanistan reflecting on the peace process here or the massacre in Manhattan it is hard to avoid a foreboding about what lies ahead. Hope seems to sink and apprehension seems to grow, but we cannot afford to succumb to despair. For the true political activist the only choice is struggle not acquiescence. The only direction is forward.”
“I have no illusions about any of this and I know my commitment is shared by the Sinn Féin leadership. From within the broad republican constituency we are working for the day when all the armed groups, including the IRA, cease to be.”
Commenting on Mr Adams speech deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Peter Robinson, said: “The death of someone in an attack on Canary Wharf or in Belfast is no different to someone being blown up in New York or Washington.
“He is indulging in schizophrenic terrorism, whereby, if you are involved, its good terrorism; if its somebody else, its bad terrorism.”
Anti-Agreement Ulster Unionist Jeffrey Donaldson said: “I do not think anyone will be convinced by these duplicitous statements from Gerry Adams, when the organisation to which he is linked has in turn been linked to international terrorism and his conference linked to other terror groups.
Several groups protested outside the Sinn Féin conference. Enniskillen Poppy Day massacre victim Jim Dixon staged a protest, as did the Head of the Families Acting for Innocent Relatives Group, Willie Frazer. (AMcE)
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