Podium: A turning-point in the history of Ireland

Gerry Adams From a speech given by the president of Sinn Fein to a meeting of his party's national executive in Dublin

THESE LAST few weeks have seen some very significant developments in the search for a lasting peace settlement. I believe that we have now managed to create the potential to consolidate the peace process and to advance the task of implementing the Good Friday agreement.

The IRA's proposed appointment of a representative to enter into discussions with the de Chastelain commission is another demonstration of its courage and discipline, and a sign of its willingness to enhance the search for a democratic peace settlement. This initiative was secured as a result of the collective efforts of Sinn Fein, the two governments, and David Trimble. No one should underestimate the work they did.

Let me assure you all that there is no secret deal. With the conclusion of the Mitchell review the deal is now in the public arena for all to see. As Senator Mitchell said, the deal is the Good Friday agreement. There is no hidden agenda, and this party's public position is also our private position. All the parties in the Mitchell review are agreed that the issue of arms will finally and satisfactorily be settled by the de Chastelain commission, that decommissioning is a voluntary process, and that all parties to the agreement have an obligation to help bring this about. The Good Friday agreement makes it clear that this issue can be resolved only in the context of an overall settlement.

I do not underestimate the difficulties that have to be overcome in the time ahead, especially for the Ulster Unionist Party and its leadership.

The success of the next phase of this process is totally dependent on all progressive and forward-looking elements of our people asserting and exerting ourselves in the difficult tasks that leadership involves. I am confident that these difficulties can be overcome if the momentum that has been created is seized upon.

The British Government has shown a commitment to this process. That needs a continued focus to bring about real change and to resist the urge to misrepresent, to hype or to exaggerate. The success of this next phase may depend on everyone taking a measured approach. Sinn Fein wants to work with Unionists in sorting out those vexed issues that continue to divide, confuse and separate us. Our immediate goal is to forge a partnership with Unionism that will see us labour together within the new institutions and govern in fairness and honesty, with justice and equality. Unionists have nothing to fear from sharing power with republicans.

The fact is that we live on a small island. It is too small for us to stand alone and aloof from each other. Our destiny is intertwined. Our freedoms are inextricably bound up together. We cannot move forward into a new century separately, isolated and alone. We can only move forward together.

I believe that all our traditions should enjoy equality of treatment and respect. We believe in the unity of Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter. I look forward to the day when all our people, whether nationalist or Unionist, Protestant or Catholic, can live side by side as equals in mutual trust and tolerance. In government we will be working towards that goal.

We want a New Ireland in which all the people of this island will be cherished equally. Sinn Fein sees a 32-county republic and a new relationship with our nearest neighbour based upon our mutual independence, as the best way to eradicate the range of political, social and economic inequalities that affect the people of this island. This does not represent a threat to the Unionist section of our people.

It is essential in all of this that the British Government faces up to its responsibilities to the people of this island. The London Government is a player with its own political interests. Sinn Fein fully recognises this and it is for this reason that Sinn Fein's commitment to our political objectives will continue. We must continue to build support for an end to partition, an end to the British Government's involvement in our country and a united Ireland. These are entirely legitimate, democratic, and desirable objectives.

We want a just and lasting peace.