In the clearest signal yet of a positive approach by Sinn Fein to the referendum on the Belfast Agreement, the party's president, Mr Gerry Adams, has predicted the agreement will be voted through "North and South".
The Sinn Fein ardfheis will resume in Dublin on May 10th to decide how the party should advise its supporters to vote in the referendum on May 22nd. The ardchomhairle met yesterday to discuss strategy.
Following an hour-long meeting yesterday with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, Mr Adams said he was "quite satisfied" from his soundings that the referendum would be successfully carried. "I think that the referendum is going to win both North and South because people want peace," he said.
Despite reservations, nationalists did see the agreement as "at the very least a basis for advancement". Article 3, in particular, caused anxiety for a lot of people but "all of these things are surmountable". The document was not a settlement, but was the basis for advancement.
Asked how he intended to vote, Mr Adams said "in accordance with the decision of the Sinn Fein party." At this point, there was no "one view" within the party and "some don't give twopence for these Articles [2 and 3] at all".
Rejecting accusations by the SDLP councillor, Mr Mark Durkan, that Sinn Fein was speaking with "forked tongue" on the agreement, Mr Adams said this language was "very disappointing". He added "for me it has been a bit perplexing and amusing to note that all of the parties, in all of the referendum speeches, attacked Sinn Fein - right across the entire spectrum from Ian Paisley to the SDLP". However, Sinn Fein was entitled to arrive at whatever conclusion it thought would "advance the whole struggle for independence and unity on this island" and ensure the document was seen as a point of advancement.