Deadline on peace deal beckons
The Government and leading players in Northern Ireland enter make or break talks today that will determine whether devolution is restored in the province this side of the next general election.
London and Dublin are pressing for signs from Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party over their willingness to strike a new power-sharing deal.
The Prime Minister has said peace process deliberations are at an “intensive stage”.
At his monthly press conference, Tony Blair gave circumspect replies to questions about the prospects of a lasting settlement in Northern Ireland.
He said he was almost fearful of voicing his hopes.
“It’s obvious that people would like to get a deal done. Whether that is possible or not, the next few days will tell us,” he said.
On Monday, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams held his first meeting with Hugh Orde, head of Northern Ireland’s police force.
He described the meeting as “useful” while Mr Orde said the meeting was “very significant” and a “step forward”.
Veteran DUP leader Ian Paisley met General John de Chastelain, the head of the decommissioning body, to examine what many commentators are predicting will be the destruction of all of the IRA’s guns and explosives by Christmas.
At the talks Dr Paisley said the negotiations were at a “very delicate stage”.
“If this decommissioning problem can be solved, then we are on our way. But it is not solved at the present time,” he said.
In talks with Mr Blair at Downing Street today, Dr Paisley, MP for North Antrim, will raise lingering concerns about IRA disarmament.
Gerry Adams for his part, will push for a gradual withdrawal of Britain’s military with Irish leader Bertie Ahern in Dublin.
The British government has pledged to reduce its troop deployment if the IRA disbands.
