SINN FEIN yesterday unveiled the elements of its campaign strategy for the British election, linking support for the party with renewed hope for reconstructing the peace process.
The theme of what amounted to an inaugural campaign press conference was set out in a backdrop banner which read: "Election `97:
A New Opportunity for Peace".
The party's president, Mr Gerry Adams, said a strong vote for Sinn Fein would "send a clear message to the British government and the unionists that inclusive dialogue, with no double standards, is the only common sense way to move forward".
He said electoral rivalry between the SDLP and Sinn Fein would not deflect himself and Mr John Hume from their work to restore the peace process. Although the SDLP had ruled out discussion of an electoral pact, he would continue meeting Mr Hume.
Mr Adams declined to express any party preference for either Labour or the Conservatives. "It is immaterial," he said. "We have to deal with whatever government is in power.
Mr Martin McGuinness added: "What we would like to see is a strong British government elected." Sinn Fein would have to work with such a government if it genuinely and seriously recognised the need to rebuild the peace process.
Asked about the impact the IRA campaign might have on the Sinn Fein election performance, Mr Adams said: "Sinn Fein would prefer to be contesting elections in a peaceful environment, but the reality is that we have all been robbed of that opportunity, and we have to pursue the task of building that new opportunity."
In regard to the sharp attack made on the IRA by the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, on Monday evening, Mr Adams said" the remarks were those of a politician "on the way out". People saw it as part of the double standards that had characterised Sir Patrick's sojourn here, he said.
Mr McGuinness said that the party's efforts to rebuild a credible process would continue. "I refuse to be imbued with the sense of hopelessness and despair which is out on the streets," he said. "I certainly think an opportunity still exists even at this very late hour if the British government would have a `road-to-Damascus' conversion. We will play our part."
Two prominent Sinn Fein local representatives, Mr Francie Molloy and Mr Barry McElduff, of Mid-Ulster and Fermanagh/South Tyrone, whose omission from the list of nominees caused some surprise, denied that there was any internal policy division.
They said there had been a consensus decision that the Sinn Fein negotiators should be put forward to present the electorate with a strong team - what Mr Adams described as "a leadership team with a proven commitment to peace and to inclusive negotiations based on equality."
The SF-SDLP election rivalry was put into sharp focus by a statement yesterday by Mr Denis Haughey, the SDLP's Mid-Ulster candidate.
He said the SDLP was faced in the constituency by "two of the most extreme figures in Northern Ireland politics". The Rev William McCrea of the DUP and Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein "represent the most extreme and bitter viewpoints which lie at the heart of the trouble in this community," his statement said.