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October 21, 2005
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP addresses the South African Parliament:
Hopes for the future - Working with Unionists
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, on the third day of his official visit to
South Africa, spoke to a specially convened session of the South African
Parliament in Capetown.
Mr Adams thanked Deputy Speaker Geoff Doidge for inviting him to Parliament
and for this "exceptional honour".
Mr Adams said:
"Your success is a beacon of light and encouragement for all those
struggling throughout the world for freedom and democracy."
"As we in Ireland seek to make political progress following the recent IRA
initiatives we understand that one of the greatest single challenges facing
us, as we seek to achieve Irish unity, is engaging with our unionist
neighbours.
"The reality and legacy of the partition of Ireland meant that a section of
our people - the unionists - were given a special status.
"The peace process has created a new dynamic for change which many unionists
find threatening. They are afraid that they will lose out economically and
politically; that the traditional roles will be reversed and that they will
suffer disadvantage and discrimination.
"Irish republicans will not condone or be part of such developments. The
underpinning principle, which guides our politics, is equality. This means
working in partnership with those unionists who will work with us to ensure
a better future for all our people.
"Peace and political stability brings many benefits. That is evident here in
South Africa. It can happen in Ireland.
"Sinn Fein is committed in the time ahead to pro-actively engage with
unionists, to talk with them, share concerns, ideas, and seek a vision of
the future in which all of us can feel comfortable and be prosperous. I
believe we can achieve this. I believe the example set by South Africa marks
the path which we too must follow.
"The father of Irish republicanism described this in our context as the
unity of Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter. I am confident in the time
ahead that with perseverance, patience and persistence this can be achieved."
