Fed: Sinn Fein minister seeks support for peace

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2000
Fed: Sinn Fein minister seeks support for peace

SYDNEY, Dec 2 AAP - Sinn Fein's first minister to visit Australia today called on the
federal government to encourage Britain to do the right thing by Ireland and stand firm
against rejectionists.

Martin McGuinness, Education Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly, arrived in
Australia today to talk up investment opportunities in Northern Ireland and seek support
from Australian political leaders for the peace process there.

Mr McGuinness will meet with Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in Canberra on Monday
and today met with acting NSW Premier Dr Andrew Refshauge and NSW Education Minister John
Aquilina.

He was keeping tightlipped about a private meeting with former Labor Prime Minister
Paul Keating in Sydney today, saying it was "private and confidential".

Mr McGuinness said Australian political leaders could help convince Britain that the
Good Friday peace agreement was the only way forward.

"The British Prime Minister (Tony Blair), he has to stand firm and make it absolutely
clear to the rejectionists ... that the peace process, the Good Friday agreement, is the
only way forward," Mr McGuinness said.

"When we reflect on where we were five, six, seven years ago (compared with) where
we are now, we're in two completely different places.

"There is incredible hope and expectation in Northern Ireland that we can move forward
to end the injustices of the past..."

Mr McGuinness's visit follows one by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in February last year.

Prime Minister John Howard refused to meet with Mr Adams during his Australian visit.

A spokesman for Mr Howard then said the prime minister regarded 1998 Nobel Peace Prize
winners David Trimble and John Hume as the real heroes of the Northern Ireland peace agreement.

But today Mr McGuinness said he was pleased with the reception he was receiving from
political leaders.

"Suffice to say that we're meeting with the foreign minister and that's grand, I'm
happy with that," he said.

"We did receive a letter from Mr Howard which indicated that that meeting would go
ahead, so that's an advance on the previous situation.

"We're not at the least bit concerned about (not meeting Mr Howard) ... we wish Mr Howard well."

Mr McGuinness was also hoping to meet with federal Education Minister Dr David Kemp
to discuss education initiatives.

He will visit five cities in five days before returning to Belfast on Wednesday.

AAP sal/cdh

KEYWORD: MCGUINNESS

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