NI main parties ponder Governments' proposals

NI poll toppers the DUP and Sinn Féin have continued to express their reservations about the recent government proposals.

Speaking after talks yesterday with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said he would be meeting with Tony Blair in London today to discuss his party's concerns.

Mr Adams said: "We had extensive discussions today with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, and their senior officials and we will be meeting the British Prime Minister tomorrow in London.

"There are issues of concern and we have made the point that viable proposals for forward movement must be firmly grounded in the Good Friday Agreement.

"But I do believe if these concerns are adequately addressed, there could be the basis for a comprehensive agreement. Sinn Féin will continue to work to achieve that objective."

On receiving the governments' proposals at Downing Street on Wednesday, DUP Leader Dr Ian Paisley declined immediate comment.

Later in a press statement, Dr Paisley said that he would study the document over the next few days. He said: "Initial scrutiny shows that there are some areas of confusing ambiguity and even apparent inconsistency. We will also want to have clarification on a number of matters where there is a lack of detail or the use of imprecise text."

He said he would need the Prime Minister to confirm "that in each and every respect" the IRA had accepted "the nature, extent and particulars of that part of the Agreement which impacts on its activities and position".

With the other parties apparently side-lined, UUP MP for South Antrim, David Burnside has called for the Prime Minister to explain to the House of Commons the content of the proposals that were selectively given to some political parties yesterday.

Last night, Mr Burnside said that MPs should be allowed to question the Prime Minister on exactly what was proposed to DUP Leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams.

Alliance Party leader David Ford, while critical of the two-party approach adopted by the Governments, urged that despite "major gaps that still need to be addressed", both the DUP and Sinn Fein should "seize the opportunity presented to them" warning if they failed to do so there was a risk of an indefinite period of direct rule.

It is understood that the proposals include improved independent verification of decommissioning, by cross-denominational clerical representatives, modifications to North-South bodies and the British-Irish council.

(SP/MB)