Party chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said there was now "huge disenchantment" among nationalists with the ongoing talks, due to resume tomorrow at Stormont Castle in Belfast. "We are being challenged by our own supporters to demonstrate that the present talks process has any efficacy whatsoever," McLaughlin told BBC television. (Quoted from Republican Movement Distribution List) The following response was issued by the North American Coordinator of the Irish Republican Socialist Committees on 22 Feb 98: On behalf of the Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America, I would like to applaud Sinn Fein having come to share the position of the IRSM that the present talks process offers nothing to the nationalist people of the six counties. It can only be hoped that Sinn Fein finally having recognized the pointlessness of these talks will now provide an opportuntity to rebuild unity. Sinn Fein, it is to be hoped, will look towards its goals in common with other Irish republicans, such as those in the IRSP or RSF, rather than allow our differences to impede collective efforts on matters of common concern. Certainly this would be more productive than continuing its present alliance with the likes of the SDLP and Fianna Fail, at least as regards achieving goals that define a shared Irish republican agenda. Peter Urban North American Coordinator, Irish Republican Socialist Committees |