Grassroots SF supporters back leadership at rallies

Grassroots Sinn Fein supporters have rallied behind the party leadership, despite strong opposition from dissidents. Several thousand turned out at Sinn Fein 1916 commemorations throughout Ireland yesterday to applaud the party's role in the peace process.

Mr Gerry Adams and Mr Martin McGuinness did not go as far as endorsing Friday's agreement but, significantly, the former IRA gunrunner, Cllr Martin Ferris, described it as the "best result possible".

The IRA, in a statement read out at Easter rallies yesterday, praised the Sinn Fein negotiating team and said it would judge the agreement document "against its potential to deliver a just and durable peace in our country".

Mr Ferris's comments were viewed as significant. His presence on the Sinn Fein talks team was considered as a guarantee to republicans that there would be no deviation from republican principles.

The first major test for the Sinn Fein leadership will be at the party ardfheis in Dublin this weekend. But it is unlikely the party will decide whether to accept or reject the document at the ardfheis. It is expected Sinn Fein will embark on a longer consultation process before reaching a decision on what approach to take to the May 22nd referendum.

The strongest republican criticism so far of the agreement - and of the Provisional movement - has been from the Irish Republican Socialist Party (the political wing of the INLA, which is not observing a ceasefire), and from Republican Sinn Fein.

Mr Gerry Burns of the IRSP, in its Easter statement, claimed Sinn Fein had capitulated to "reactionary unionism", and said republicans must send a clear message to the "Adams leadership" that they would not be "railroaded into accepting proposals that are an assault on republican ideals". He said that through the politics of the IRSP and the "cutting edge and tenacity" of the INLA, republicans would continue efforts to achieve an all-Ireland socialist republic.

In an equally hard-line statement, Mr Des Long, vice-president of Republican Sinn Fein, accused the "Provisional leadership" of "treachery". Speaking at a commemoration in Tipperary, he added: "We must have the courage to say that the leadership - for personal and political advancement - have sold out the republican position. The Provisional leadership has surrendered to the British, that is the reality and no amount of public relations will disguise the fact. What they have done can only be described as treachery", Mr Long said.

Sinn Fein appeared unperturbed by the denunciations. Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness could take comfort from the large turnout of supporters in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone, and in Derry, where they both addressed Easter commemorations. About 4,000 people attended the Carrickmore rally where Mr Adams received an enthusiastic reception. Mr Adams said Sinn Fein was "resolutely committed" to its goal of a united Ireland, and described the agreement as an important step towards that aim.

He said republicans must work with the unionist community to build peace. In Derry, Mr McGuinness said many republicans would have concerns about the document. He urged all republicans to study the agreement carefully before deciding whether to accept or reject it.

Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, has urged all sides not to squander the opportunity for peace. "We have got to realise that there will be people who don't want to make the changes necessary, who are going to do everything they can to try and stop this agreement," he said in Cordoba, Spain, where he is on holiday with his family.

"We shouldn't take anything for granted or think other than that this is going to be a difficult process over the next period of time. It is going to be. What we have done so far has primed people, and if people exercise vision and imagination, then it can be done."