A chara, - I would like to respond to a recent press release from the Tanaiste, Mary Harney which involved a ludicrous attack on Sinn Fein regarding de-commissioning.
Once again she is showing her total lack of understanding and knowledge of what was negotiated, agreed and voted on in the referendum. She also seems unable to acknowledge the fact that the pro-agreement parties involved in the current discussions have been mandated to implement the agreement to the letter and no party has the right to rewrite the document to suit itself.
It is the responsibility of everyone engaged in the current talks to strive to remove all the weapons from Irish politics. This can best be achieved by all parties involved being allowed to represent their constituents on equal terms, without pre-conditions and without attempts by some parties to re-write the contents of the agreement.
In conclusion I would like to state that there is no such party as Sinn Fein/IRA. The Tanaiste is seemingly intent on pushing the same line as those objectors to the Good Friday Agreement such as the Paisley McCartney camps. - Is mise, Pat Doherty,
Vice president, Sinn Fein, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.