Adams meeting Reid over Belfast Agreement

Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams and Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid are meeting this morning at Stormont over the …

Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams and Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid are meeting this morning at Stormont over the Belfast Agreement.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Adams said there was an attempt being made by anti-Agreement unionists to subvert change in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams

"We could all get lost in the small print, we must keep our eye on the big picture which is that there is a need for change. The status quo cannot stand, equality has to be brought in.

"The two governments have signed up for that and all the pro-Agreement parties have signed up for it and there is an attempt to subvert it," he said. "One thing is certain - change is coming, it can be delayed and frustrated, it can be minimised but it cannot be stopped."

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People had a right to equality and no section of the community had the right to deny or withhold rights "because bigots or anti-Agreement unionists don't want to see change", Mr Adams insisted.

It will be the first of a series of meetings on the Belfast Agreement by Mr Adams.

Mr Adams will also meet the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern; the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair; and US President Bush's special adviser on Northern Ireland, Mr Richard Haass, over the coming days.

He is also seeking a meeting with First Minister and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble.