Feb
08, 2000
The
Save The Good Friday Agreement Coalition; For immediate release
BRITISH GOVERNMENT BAD FAITH THREATENS PEACE PROCESS
When the British government suspends
the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), it will be
in breach of the Agreement it agreed to honor in May 1998. The Save the Good
Friday Agreement Coalition is alarmed at Britain's decision to dismiss the
democratic principles contained in the Agreement. Any decision according to
the Agreement requires a 40 percent vote of approval by each community.
Suspending the Assembly would occur without a referendum of the voters as
required. A unilateral action by Britain will gravely damage--and may
collapse--the peace process. We continue to support the right of all parties
to the negotiations to represent their constituencies according to the
provisions they signed on to in the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement does
not require decommissioning by the arbitrary January 31 deadline of the Ulster
Unionist Party (UUP); it obligates all political parties "to use any
influence they may have to achieve the decommissioning of all paramilitary
arms within two years" of the voter endorsement. Decommissioning will
only occur within the context of the implementation of the overall agreement.
We strongly urge the British and Irish governments to honor their commitment
to implement the Agreement as written and approved by 85 percent of the
voters.
"Mr. Mandelson’s recent
statement shows once again that the British government is willing to cave in
to the demands of the Ulster Unionist Party of Northern Ireland," said
spokesperson Sinead MacLochlainn.
"This action of the British
government will destroy the nationalist community's faith in the peace
process, and damage attempts to foster trust in the political process."
Calling it a slap in the face to
voters who approved the Agreement in May 1998, MacLochlainn said it will be
difficult, if not impossible, to make up the loss of momentum built up over
the last six years.
"We have watched as deadlines,
clearly outlined within the Agreement, were broken by the Ulster Unionists
time and time again for the last 18 months. UUP leader David Trimble’s
failure to set up the shadow executive by the October 31, 1998 deadline
illustrates the outrageous stalling tactics displayed for nearly two years by
the UUP. This is not the way forward; it is the status quo. The Save the Good
Friday Agreement Coalition, and the people of Ireland and Britain will no
longer accept the status quo.
"We call on all those who still
say "yes!" to the Good Friday Agreement to stand up and be heard.
Join the Coalition now and lend your voice to ours. We ask you to visit our
website and join us in our attempts to bring an end to the dangerous game the
British government and Ulster Unionists are playing. Give the people what they
asked for--a government of the people of this island, together, sharing
power--a government where all communities share representative democracy. Save
the Good Friday Agreement." said MacLochlainn.
Contact:
Save
the Good Friday Agreement Coalition
http://members.tripod.com/SavetheGFA/index.htm
Suzanne
DeBolt
Press
Liaison