Other aspects of the Joint Declaration are unacceptable. The establishment of the so-called International Monitoring Commission is a breach of the Agreement and it contravenes the safeguards built into it.

It takes the right of democratic accountability from the elected assembly and gives the power of sanction and exclusion over political parties in Ireland to a British minister with no electoral mandate here.

Republicans have worked to have the Good Friday Agreement implemented, not only because that is our obligation, not only because that is the right thing, but because it fits into a strategy to create an alternative to conflict.

The Good Friday Agreement with its vision of a fair and just society operating exclusively democratically and peacefully was democratically endorsed by the vast majority of the people

It is a peaceful means of bringing about change and of sustaining and anchoring the peace process. I want to reiterate my total commitment to playing a leadership role to bring an end to conflict on our island, including physical force republicanism.

Our strategy to do this is based on creating a purely peaceful and alternative way to achieve democratic and republican objectives. I say this conscious of the dangers and risks and in the certain knowledge that there is no easy way to sort out these issues.

I have no illusions about any of this and I know my commitment is shared by the Sinn Fein leadership.

We are totally committed to building the peace process.

The length of the IRA cessations, first declared almost 10 years ago, its discipline in the face of ongoing British military and loyalist activities, and its initiatives to sustain the current process, show that it too is genuinely interested in building the peace process. I commend them for this.

'Peaceful direction'

The Good Friday Agreement with its vision of a fair and just society operating exclusively democratically and peacefully was democratically endorsed by the vast majority of the people of both states on the island of Ireland. Sinn Fein is committed to the full implementation of the Agreement.

The IRA leadership wants the full and irreversible implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in all its aspects and they are determined that their strategies and actions will be consistent with this objective.

Implementation by the two governments and the parties of their commitments under the Agreement provides the context in which Irish republicans and unionists will as equals pursue their objectives peacefully, thus providing full and final closure of the conflict.

Actions and the lack of actions on the ground speak louder than words and I believe that everyone - including the two governments and the unionists - can now move forward with confidence.

As president of Sinn Fein, I have set out a peaceful direction which I trust everyone will follow. Sinn Fein's position is one of total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of resolving differences. We are opposed to any use or threat of force for any political purpose.

For our part Sinn Fein is totally committed to establishing an entirely new, democratic and harmonious future with our unionist neighbour

Sinn Fein wants to see all guns taken out of Irish society. There is also an onus on the two governments, and particularly the British Government, to underpin and validate the primacy of politics.

I want to appeal directly to those organisations which are not on cessation at this time. While calling on all armed groups to desist I want to appeal especially to organisations which present themselves as republican.

I appeal to them to join with the rest of us, republicans and unionists, nationalists and loyalists, in taking a leap forward together and collectively building a new future based on justice and peace.

Anyone looking at this situation during the 1960s, the 1970s, the 1980s and for much of the 1990s, could be forgiven for believing that there are some conflicts which simply never end, where distrust and hatred are so much a part of the fabric of the society that things will never change.

'Political progress'

But things have changed. Our success in bringing this about was not a matter of chance; it was a matter of choice.

And republicans helped shape and give voice to that choice. For our part Sinn Fein is totally committed to establishing an entirely new, democratic and harmonious future with our unionist neighbours.

Like it or not we're all in this together. Sinn Fein has been involved in intensive discussions with the UUP over recent weeks.

This direct and open dialogue between unionists and republicans is in itself a profoundly important development and the key to ongoing political progress.

Consequently, we understand the importance of reaching out to unionists; of learning about unionist concerns, fears and aspirations. Of explaining to them how we feel.

I want to appeal to republicans throughout Ireland and abroad to continue to support Sinn Fein's peace strategy - initiatives by republicans cause pain and difficulty for all of us

One of the big things we have to do together is to tackle the scourge of sectarianism. This remains a huge challenge for unionists and loyalists, republicans and nationalists

Good work is being done in this regard, particularly at local government level by Sinn Fein representatives, like Armagh Mayor Pat O'Rawe, Mayor Anne Brolly, Councillor Francie Molloy, Mayor Sean McGuigan and former Belfast Mayor Alex Maskey.

This needs to be built on. It will not be easy, but it is not impossible.

Many unionists, particularly working class unionists, are already conscious of the way in which they have been exploited. Unionist working class areas face enormous social and economic problems. Families, the elderly and the young are weighed down with poverty, deprivation and a sense of despair. This is totally unacceptable.

When Sinn Fein demands equality it is for everyone. We also have to reach out to those who are in negative mode. We reject exclusion and isolation.

They are the politics of failure. We have to encourage engagement and to persuade everyone to be part of the process of conflict resolution - to be part of the future. I believe we have the collective knowledge and the means to make this century the most peaceful, prosperous, productive time in the history of Ireland.

The question is do we have the wisdom and the will? I believe we have.I believe that together we can build a future of equals on this island. A peaceful future which empowers, and enriches and cherishes all the children of the nation equally. The people of this island have the right to be free.

To live free from discrimination and inequality, without violence and conflict.

Sinn Fein means to journey on from there, to be part of building a republic worthy of the suffering and sacrifice of all of those who have gone before us.

I want to appeal to republicans throughout Ireland and abroad to continue to support Sinn Fein's peace strategy. Initiatives by republicans cause pain and difficulty for all of us.