LYNCH GIVES AIM

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 15

LYNCH GIVES AIM

(N.Z.P-A.-Reuter—Copyright) TRALEE (Irish Republic), Sept 21.

The Prime Minister (Mr Jack Lynch) said last night that his Government was seeking reunification of the Republic and Northern Ireland, but would not use violence to achieve ft.

In a continuing effort to reassure the Protestant dominated Union Government in

Northern Ireland, Mr Lynch told supporters in this County Kerry town: “It is quite unreasonable for any Unionist to expect my Government, or any future Government, to abandon the belief and hope that Ireland should be reunited. “It is unnecessary to repeat that we seek reunification by peaceful means,” he said. Mr Lynch spoke as Northern Ireland slowly returned to normal after weeks of strife between Protestants and the Roman Catholic minority. “We are not seeking to overthrow by violence, the Stormont (Northern Ireland’s Government seat) Parliament or Government, but rather to win the agreement of a sufficient number of people in the North to an acceptable form of reunification,” he said. Mr Lynch said that the fundamental desire for restora-

tion of national unity, in some form, was not confined to Irishmen of any particular creed or ancestry. “I want to make it clear, however, once more, that we have no intention of using force to realise this desire.” He said the aim of his Government was not to extend the domination of Dublin. “We have many times expressed our willingness to seek a solution on federal lines,” he said. He also envisaged the possibility of intermediate stages in an approach to a final agreed solution.

“Differences in political outlook or religious belief need not set people apart. "Indeed, diversity of cultural background can exert a stimulating The real barriers are those created by fear, suspicion and intolerance,” he said.