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![]() ![]() Sunday, May 10, 1998 Published at 14:36 GMT 15:36 UK ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Prisoners support peace deal ![]() Party leaders welcome the Balcombe Street gang
The British and Irish governments authorised the temporary release of several convicted paramilitaries to allow them to travel to Dublin to urge the 1,500 party delegates to vote 'Yes'.
Hero's welcome
The Balcombe Street gang - four IRA prisoners transferred from British jails to
custody in the Irish Republic less than a week ago - were given a 10-minute standing ovation.
The four, jailed in 1975 after a siege in London, were mobbed by well-wishers as they walked to the stage.
Backing from prisoners
Wilson said that jailed IRA personnel fully supported the Sinn Fein leadership's stance on the peace accord.
"We have had long debate about this since the agreement was reached
in Belfast last month and there are views both for and against it.
"There is no feeling that this is the end and that it is over - the struggle
for us as Irish republicans is not over. We have a long way to go and see this
as just another phase of the struggle.
"But, most importantly of all as prisoners, is that we go through it
together."
Wilson said: "There are concerns, though I would not say doubts, over the
leadership's position - we are happy enough about that."
Call for early release
"We aren't ignorant of the sensitivities of the issue or the feelings of
those who have suffered loss and grief, but prisoners are victims of this
conflict as well," Mr Wilson added.
"We have all suffered and we have all inflicted hurt, and the biggest test of
all will be, can we heal? I think we can."
'A watershed day'
Earlier the Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams told reporters: "In terms of republican struggle it's a watershed day, an historical day."
The meeting is expected to endorse the agreement which goes to a referendum on both sides of the Irish border on May 22.
The party is also expected to break with precedent and give the go-ahead for members to take seats in the new Northern Ireland assembly.
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