THE Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, has described the Liberal Democrat manifesto, published yesterday, as a veiled attempt to return power to a unionist dominated Stormont.
Mr McLaughlin said the Liberal Democrats were trying to promote a return to Stormont in the guise of government through proportional representation.
"British political parties are going to have to accept that all the nationalist parties and the Dublin Government have agreed that an internal six county settlement is unacceptable."
Meanwhile, Mr John Hume, has sought to make Europe a key issue in the election by accusing Sinn Fein and the two main unionist parties of being opposed to the European Union. The SDLP leader said Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party were adopting an "old fashioned and out of date mentality" on the EU.
Mr Hume said the SDLP was solidly pro Europe. "We have built up powerful links with the other social democratic and labour parties right across Europe many of whom are in government. Those links are of enormous importance in ensuring continued European funding for this region."
The Alliance Party chief whip, Mr Sean Neeson, said Sinn Fein and the IRA were a "bunch of tease artists" because of the on off rumours of a pre election IRA ceasefire. "The electorate must bear in mind that when these tease artists are once again exposed all they have to offer is further frustration and suffering for the people of Northern Ireland," he added.
Mr Sean Farren, the SDLP's North Antrim candidate, accused the republican movement of lacking the courage to grasp the current opportunities for political progress. "With all the conditions in place to ensure inclusive negotiations, the continuation of IRA violence will only succeed in destroying Sinn Fein's prospects of ever being able to participate in those negotiations.
"Placing bombs on the road and rail network in Britain is hardly likely to persuade whoever forms the next British government that, Sinn Fein should be permitted enter talks on June 3rd," said Mr Farren.
Meanwhile, the West Belfast MP, Dr Joe Hendron, said he was confident of retaining his seat despite the threat from the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams.
The majority of electors in the constituency would support him because of the job creation efforts of the SDLP in West Belfast and because of their frustration at the continuing IRA violence, he added.
