Sinn Fein leader to meet Prime Minister

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is to meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair, for private discussions in Chequers ahead of next week's crucial talks in St Andrews in Scotland, aimed at restoring power sharing in Northern Ireland.

It is understood that Mr Adams and the Prime Minister will discuss the issues of policing during today's meeting, and that the Sinn Fein leader will raise major issues for republicans such as the expansion of cross-border bodies and co-operation, the Irish language, equality and human rights plus measures to enable paramilitary fugitives from justice to return to their communities.

Last night, Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Peter Hain, wrote to local party leaders, laying down the topics for next week's talks.

It is understood that the two main topics of discussion will be the legislative changes to policing and the way political institutions in Northern Ireland will operate in the future.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan immediately criticized the proposed changes claiming they undermined the principle of inclusive government and also the Good Friday Agreement.

However, the British and Irish governments are optimistic about the talks following the findings in the IMC report on Wednesday which stated that the IRA had undergone a “radical change” and was no longer able to return to terrorism.

However, DUP leader Ian Paisley said that Sinn Fein must recognise the PSNI as the legitimate force of law and order before his party would consider going into government with them.

Meanwhile Sinn Fein wants the DUP to commit itself to an all-party power-sharing executive before they make any move on the policing issue.

(EF/KMcA)