Sinn Fiin Statement:  Mitchel McLaughlin


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Sinn Fein Nuacht Raiteas
Shantallow, Derry City, Ireland

07 November 1997

Statement from Sinn Fiin Chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin:

Commenting on the resignations in Co. Louth Sinn Fiin, the
party Chairperson said:

"I regret the decision of a small number of Sinn Fiin in Co.
Louth to resign from the party. It should be pointed out
that the resignations represent the views of a minority of
those who attended the meeting.

It is more important that the overwhelming majority of the
members present reaffirmed their allegiance to the Sinn Fiin
leadership and their support for our approach to the peace
process. Sinn Fiin is a vibrant, united and growing party and
these developments should be taken in context.

It is a measure of the democratic nature of our party that these
differences can be discussed and voiced openly. It cannot be
denied that certain individuals have anxieties and a certain
amount of doubt about the process on which we have embarked in
view of the slowness of substantive movement in the negotiations.

Some of those who have left are friends of mine and I am heartened
that they have indicated that they have no intention of joining
any other party. This leaves open the opportunity for the
differences to be resolved and for them to rejoin the fold at a
later date.

I must point up the gross exaggeration of the possible effect of
these resignations by sections of the media which is in stark
contrast to the deafening silence which greeted the resignation
of the entire membership of the CLMC and the murder of one of its
own members.

These resignations pose no threat to the Sinn Fiin peace strategy,
we will continue on the course which we have set."

 
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