SF to call for implementation at world forum

Sinn Féin tonight vowed to use its visit to a forum of world leaders next week to urge the Irish and British governments to implement…

Sinn Féin tonight vowed to use its visit to a forum of world leaders next week to urge the Irish and British governments to implement the Belfast Agreement.

Mr Martin McGuinness, who is due to take part in a World Economic Forum session on the Northern Ireland peace process in Switzerland in eight days time, said he would tell the gathering of world leaders and opinion formers that London and Dublin must not allow hard-line unionists to frustrate the implementation of the 1998 Agreement.

The Mid Ulster MP said: "It is a measure of the international interest in the Irish peace process that there is a dedicated session on our ongoing efforts to finally resolve the causes of conflict in Ireland.

"This is particularly important at this time, as it will give key world leaders the opportunity to hear, at first hand, the history of our peace process but also the difficulties we face now.

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"It will, I have no doubt, add to the pressure on the two governments and, in particular, the British Government to move urgently to resolve the political crisis.

SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan tonight confirmed he was also going to take part in the World Economic Forum session on Northern Ireland.

The Foyle Assembly member said it was sad that the Agreement appeared to be more respected around the world than by some of those charged with implementing it in Ireland.

"The fact is, by failing to deliver the Agreement in full almost six years on, we have not only failed ourselves and each other, we have also failed those in other areas of conflict who have looked to us and to the Agreement for leadership and inspiration," he observed.