NI POLITICIANS PLAN TALKS IN LONDON

NORTHERN Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid has confirmed that political talks will commence on Monday June 18 between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern and Northern Ireland’s party leaders.

Following the European summit in Gothenburg in Sweden, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to making to the Belfast Agreement work.

The two leaders will initially meet the three main Northern Ireland parties who support the Agreement – the Ulster Unionist Party, SDLP and Sinn Féin. A later meeting will then take place between the Prime Minister and representatives of the strongly anti-agreement Democratic Unionist Party.

Among the main topics the politicians will discuss will be decommissioning, demilitarisation, and policing.

Dr Reid said: “The main purpose of the meetings with the pro-Agreement parties is to carry forward the implementation of the Agreement.” He stressed that Monday’s meetings were, in essence, a move to respond to the concerns of the people in Northern Ireland who want to see all parts of the Agreement implemented.

Responding to reports that indicate David Trimble might be ousted from his position as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Dr Reid said: "Matters of the Ulster Unionist Party are for the Ulster Unionist Party. David has made his position plain. It is for him to respond to that and for his party to make their own decision as he himself has said.

"This isn't a matter of personalities - it is a matter of an agreement made supported and backed by all the people of Northern Ireland in which some of that agreement has been implemented.

"We have come a fair way on all of the issues, but we have still a long way to go. Irrespective of who's doing it we have to do it."

Dr Reid also confirmed that talks between Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Democratic Unionist Party leader the Reverend Ian Paisley would take place soon. The DUP, alongside Sinn Féin, made huge gains at the expense of the more centre grounded parties in the local and Westminster elections.

The DUP increased its Westminster team from two to five, and increased the number of their local councillors by 40. (AMcE)