Irish Republican News, 27 January 2006
PARTIES SET FOR TALKS SHOWDOWN
"What is required is a genuine effort to make progress in the months
ahead. That means an end to the illegal suspension of the
institutions imposed by the British government in October 2002. ... It
means agreement by the DUP to take up their seats in an executive along
with other mandated parties. ...
It also means substantive progress on outstanding aspects of the
agreement including demilitarisation, equality and human rights issues."
(Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams)
26-County Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have
announced that a new round of talks with the political parties will begin
on February 6, to establish if progress is possible on the implementation
of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
However, further intransigent statements by DUP leader Ian Paisley this
week cast a shadow over yesterday's summit, which the two premiers had
hoped would inject momentum into the stalled peace process.
The DUP continues to refuse to hold direct talks with Sinn Féin, despite
the unilateral initiative by the Provisional IRA last July to disarm and
cease activity.
The DUP has also insisted that inclusive power-sharing, including Sinn
Féin, is "out of the question". The party has said it will only share
power with fellow unionists ajnd the moderate nationalist SDLP.
Sinn Féin has said watered-down political institutions, stripped of a
cabinet-style executive, are unacceptable.
An official IMC report is expected next week to largely confirm that the
Provisional IRA has ended its armed struggle. However, the DUP is sure to
seize on any conditionality in the report as justification for its
position. The report is also expected to include police briefings on other
republican organisations and unionist paramilitary activity.
The premiers said it would be a "very decisive year" for the north, a
statement greeted with open cynicism by members of the media attending the
event.
Mr Ahern insisted next month's intensive talks would create a fresh
momentum.
"This is not a time for sitting back or complacency. We cannot afford a
prolonged stalemate," he said.
"...We're not saying it's going to be easy. Everybody needs to take risks
and everybody needs to take responsibility."
He also said he hoped the IMC would deliver a positive report on IRA
activity next week. The political institutions must be restored, added Mr
Ahern, to deliver the people's wishes.
"The comfort zone in which everybody can sit on their hands and just drift
on, will be a mistake, because it won't work that way."
Mr Blair said it was eight years since the Good Friday Agreement was
signed.
"I think we have learned throughout that a state of paralysis or stalemate
is not a good place to be, however benign or placid things appear to be.
"Whilst that stalemate continues actually under the surface there are all
those currents of instability present when there is not a true forceful
direction moving the process forward."
Earlier this week, Ian Paisley give his party's proposals to Mr Blair at
Downing Street.
He was at No 10 to present his party's 16-page 'Facing Reality'
document, which is understood to propose that the appointment of Ministers
be deferred until the DUP is satisfied with Sinn Fein's attitude.
The DUP leader said he would give Mr Blair time to reflect on his party's
blueprint before publishing it in about 10 days.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party has suggested the Belfast Assembly
act in an advisory role to British Direct Rule officials, whole the SDLP
has called for commissioners to be appointed to run departments in the
absence of elected representatives.
Sinn Féin has blasted the unionist proposals as "an attempt to turn the
clock back" and the SDLP's plan as "foolish".
Party president Gerry Adams said it was crucial that both governments make
it clear that the object of Mr Blair and Mr Ahern's discussions was to get
the speedy restoration of fully functioning institutions.
"What is required is a genuine effort to make progress in the months
ahead," he said. "That means an end to the illegal suspension of the
institutions imposed by the British government in October 2002. It means
the triggering of the d'Hondt mechanism, for electing the executive. It
means agreement by the DUP to take up their seats in an executive along
with other mandated parties.
"It also means substantive progress on outstanding aspects of the
agreement including demilitarisation, equality and human rights issues.
"It requires the conclusion of the debate on policing, Northern
representation to be brought forward in the Oireachtas and the delivery of
a peace dividend for the north and Border counties.
"The two governments, and in particular the British government, have a
responsibility to make it clear that the DUP's approach will not be allowed
to stall progress further."