TALKS RESOLUTION STILL REMAINS OUT OF REACH

THE hardline stance of senior republicans has been blamed by an anti-Agreement Unionist politician for the eventual collapse of the Weston Park talks.

MP Jeffrey Donaldson has spoken out about his belief that both the failure of the IRA to decommission and Sinn Fein’s toughening stance on policing have led to the breakdown, as the Ulster Unionist negotiator revealed his party would accept nothing less than the beginning of decommissioning. Speaking candidly about the issue, he stated: “There can be no progress on other issues until decommissioning has happened.”

Referring to the proposed final package of proposals being put together by the British and Irish Governments, he added: “In terms of any package put forward from the government, we have made it clear it will have to properly and adequately address decommissioning and there can be no fudging.”

However, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, although stating he looked forward to receiving the government’s proposals, hit back saying: “The threat to this process does not come from the weapons of the IRA which are silenced.”

The decision by Premiers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern to draw up a "non-negotiable" package followed Saturday’s breakdown in talks. Local parties will have a few weeks to respond. However, if no agreement is reached by 12 August, Mr Blair will then decide whether to suspend the Northern Ireland Assembly or call fresh elections.

Legislation to allow elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly is to be introduced in the House of Commons on Monday.

The current political crisis was brought about by the resignation of David Trimble as the Northern Ireland first minister on 1 July. He has refused to continue sitting in government with republicans until the IRA begins to decommission its weapons. (MB)