Sinn Fein Press Releases 30 Sept - 03 Oct Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source:Paddy Newell Oct 03 1997 Sinn Fiin Nuacht Raiteas October 3, 1997 Shantalow - Derry City, Ireland Sinn Fiin Director of Elections Dodie McGuinness, speaking after the court decision in favour of the Speaker of the British House of Commons said: "We will be pursuing this case to higher courts. All the way to Europe if need be. We are presently taking legal advice as to whether or not this decision satisfies the exhaustion of domestic remedies rule which would allow us to go directly to Europe. The decision to deny facilities to the Sinn Fiin MP's was clearly arbitrary, anti-democratic and discriminatory. It was a unilateral decision taken personally by the Speaker of the British parliament without reference or regard for the accepted rules of the House of Commons. It is not contained in any legislation and coming in the direct aftermath of the impressive successes of Sinn Fiin at the last British elections it is specifically designed to deny Sinn Fiin facilities which, under the accepted rules of Parliament, have been historically available to all other MP's regardless of whether or not they took their seats. It is therefore blatantly discriminatory, decided solely on the basis of restricting Sinn Fiin's ability to represent those voters who chose us as their public representatives. The electorate were made aware of our abstentionist policy prior to casting their votes and voted for us on that basis. If would therefore be contrary to the mandate which we received to act in any other manner. If the speaker was confident of the reasonableness of her case then she should have presented it in open court rather than hiding behind parliamentary privilege." ************************* Sinn Fiin Press Centre Shantallow, Derry City October 2, 1997 'McGuinness's Brother Assaulted by RUC' Sinn Fiin Councillor Peter Anderson has accused the RUC of blatant harassment and assault of a brother of Mid-Ulster MP Martin Mc Guinness. Mr. Anderson said: "At approximately 10 o'clock this morning while out walking in the Letterkenny Road area of the city a brother of Sinn Fiin MP Martin Mc Guinness was stopped by a mobile RUC patrol. After referring to him by name the RUC proceeded to ask him his personal details. Mr Mc Guinness complied with the request for this information even though he knew that the RUC were already in posession of his details. They then demanded that Mr. Mc Guinness submit to a rigorous body search to which he objected and requested the presence of a senior member of the RUC. This was refused and an intimate head to toe search was carried out despite these objections. On completion of the body search a member of the patrol demanded that Mr. Mc Guinness empty his pockets so that he could examine in detail his house door key. This demand was refused and the RUC called for reinforcements to carry out a 'forced search.' On arrival the driver of the back-up support vehicle drove directly at Mr. Mc Guinness and stopped only inches from his legs. A number of RUC men then physically assaulted Mr. Mc Guinness, twisting his arms up his back and forcing him over the bonnet of the RUC vehicle. Mr. Mc Guinness sustained a shoulder injury during this attack. Councillor Anderson continued: "I accompanied Mr. Mc Guinness to Strand Road RUC Barracks and lodged an official complaint. Mr. Mc Guinness is also consulting his Solicitor." The Sinn Fiin Councillor concluded: "Intimidation of Republicans by this sectarian force will not deflect us from the course which we have set. The sooner the two governments realise that these thugs in uniform have no role to play in present or future policing of nationalist areas the sooner we can get down to the business of creating a credible policing service to which we can all give our support." ************************* Sinn Fiin Press Centre Falls Road, Belfast October 1, 1997 'Transfer Decision - "Inadequate Response" Sinn Fiin spokesperson on Prison Issues, Belfast Councillor Michael Browne has described the new transfer procedures introduced for prisoners as a "wasted opportunity to resolve this long running and difficult issue." Councillor Browne said: "The controversy around the transfer of republican prisoners from jails in Britain to prisons close to their families in Ireland will not be resolved by todays announcement. This was an inadequate response by the British government to a human rights issue which has been a source of much concern. The fact is that there are a number of republican prisoners who are now in the 22 year of their incarceration in prisons in Britain. There is still no sign of their being transferred to prisons close to their families. Under existing British Home Office policy there can be no excuse for delaying any further the transfer of all of those who desire it. While we welcome any developments which improve conditions for prisoners and their families, this measure falls far short of the comprehensive confidence-building approach necessary within this peace process." *************************** Sinn Fiin Press Centre Falls Road, Belfast October 1, 1997 'Everything On The Table For Negotiation' - Gerry Adams MP Speaking today from Stormont, Sinn Fiin President Gerry Adams said: "This week has been about preparing the ground for the commencement of substantive negotiations on the three strands next week. Sinn Fiin is satisfied that the issues which lie at the heart of this conflict; the issue of partition, the British claim of jurisdiction, discrimination and injustice, are all on the table for discussion. It will only be through honest dialogue on these matters, that is, by actually tackling the causes of conflict, that a resolution will be achieved. This will require fundamental constitutional and political change, an equality ethos and a total demilitarisation of the situation." **************************** Sinn Fiin Press Centre Falls Road, Belfast September 30, 1997 'Scrap Emergency Laws' - Sinn Fiin Sinn Fiin Ard Chomhairle member Councillor Francie Molloy - who is currently in Brighton at the Labour conference - commenting on reports that Internment is to be removed from the emergency legislation said: "The removal of a law which hasn't been used for over 20 years is of no great significance. If this Labour government wants to build real confidence it should scrap the current emergency legislation and refuse to put forward to the British Parliament its proposed Emergency Provisions Bill." Commenting on British Secretary of State Mo Mowlam's contribution to the conference this morning Councillor Molloy said: "This British government must develop and promote a programmatic approach on confidence building and equality issues. This should not be placed on the back burner or dealt with in a cosmetic fashion. It must be tackled as a matter of urgency. For example, detailed information on the extent of structured discrimination is already available. The British government should implement the 100 plus recommendations contained in the last Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights Report as a first step towards equality. The need for demilitarisation, the release of prisoners and equality for the Irish language and culture are all obvious priority measures which require progress. The Policing Bill which is to be put to the British Parliament should be withdrawn in order to allow for a proper process of consultation and negotiation." **************************** Sinn Fiin Press Centre Shantallow, Derry City September 30, 1997 'NIO Minister's Comments on Release of POW's Welcomed' The Sinn Fiin spokesperson on prison issues, Councillor Michael Browne has given a guarded welcome to remarks made by NIO minister Paul Murphy last night with regard to the release of political prisoners. Mr. Browne said: "Implicit to Mr. Murphy's comments is an understanding that matters relating to the release of political prisoners are an important element to the peace process. When examined in this context his remarks are to be welcomed. It is to be hoped that the British government will speedily initiate a process which will in the short term see the release of all policital prisoners. It must be remembered at all times that the issue of prisoners is an important confidence building area. In order to consolidate and advance the peace process it is of utmost importance that it enjoys the confidence of all sections of our community. Given the depth of feeling which exists for political prisoners it is essential that the issue of early release is addressed speedily and in a manner conducive to building the peace in this country." ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-10.09.97-04:23:44-3606