A chara, - SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginess (November 29th) makes a number of totally false comments regarding Sinn Féin's position on legislation currently before the British parliament relating to those on the run as a result of the conflict.
After the release of prisoners under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin raised the issue of the small number of people, known as on-the-runs (OTRs), who, if arrested and convicted, would have been eligible for release under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. All of those we are aware of are Irish republicans, are firm supporters of the peace process and number less than two dozen.
Sinn Féin did not support, propose, discuss or accept that members of the British state forces should be part of the process. For this reason we did not argue for an amnesty, a fact acknowledged in recent days by both the Irish and British governments.
On the contrary, we opposed this approach and we sought to ensure the scheme would not hinder the search for the truth or provide immunity for members of British state forces who carried out or were responsible for state killings and collusion.
The scheme that Sinn Féin negotiated and which was published by the two governments at Weston Park in 2001 related only to OTRs. It did not include members of British state forces. One of the main reasons that Sinn Féin rejected the overall document produced by the two governments at Weston Park was the British government's refusal to agree to an independent judicial inquiry as called for by the family of Pat Finucane.
The SDLP supported publicly the outcome of the Weston Park talks, including the provisions dealing with OTRs. It has not mentioned the issue in the four years since. In fact, earlier this year SDLP Assembly members and MPs refused to meet families bereaved through state violence. That and their recent support in the House of Commons for 28-day detention makes their comments all the more hypocritical.
Sinn Féin is opposed to the inclusion of British state forces in the current legislation. In our view it represents the latest attempt by the British state to conceal the truth about its involvement in the killing of citizens.
Our party activists, including elected representatives, were a primary target in this policy of state murder. This is an important issue for Sinn Féin and we will continue to support the victims of collusion and state violence.
The British persist in denying their policy of collusion. They must acknowledge the truth and those who directed this policy, including senior British political figures, must be held to account. - Is mise,
MARTIN McGUINNESS MP, Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.