Northern Ireland deal stalls

Wednesday, 8 December 2004 12:00 AM

Attempts to secure a deal on restoring devolution in Northern Ireland have stalled at the 11th hour over how to provide evidence of IRA decommissioning.

The Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein had agreed to aspects of power sharing and policing in a new deal to restore local government under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

But they have now failed to come to a conclusion over paramilitary activity.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish premier Bertie Ahern are due in Belfast later today in what was hoped would be a triumphant celebration of a new deal, but appears to now be the familiar battle between unionists and republicans.

DUP leader Ian Paisley is demanding that the IRA allow photographic evidence of their disarmament, but Sinn Fein believes this would be an unacceptable humiliation.

Earlier, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said: "I do not expect Ian Paisley or the DUP or the unionist paramilitaries to submit to such a process of humiliation."

Representatives of the IRA yesterday met with General John de Chastelain, head of the decommissioning body, and Dr Paisley met with him this morning.

However, speaking after the meeting today, the DUP leader dashed any hopes of a resolution.

"It is quite clear that the IRA are not going to decommission. Nothing on decommissioning was agreed with them," the 78-year-old told reporters.

"The situation is this: that the IRA are dead set on keeping their arms and going on with IRA/Sinn Fein's twofold policy of democracy and terrorism."

Dr Paisley did not attempt to hide his animosity towards the republicans, accusing them of bringing "murder and mayhem" to Northern Ireland, but stressed the DUP had been prepared to meet for discussions.

He added: "I am prepared as an elected representative to talk with them. I don't like them and I don't like their policies, but I'm a democrat."

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