Agreement 'frustratingly close' in NI peace deal

The Prime Minister has said that agreement is "frustratingly close" over the IRA's position on acts of completion.

Tony Blair was speaking at a press conference at Downing Street today in a move designed to seek further clarification on the IRA's intentions.

Mr Blair said there was an impasse because there was "uncertainty over the commitments given". He said that the British, Irish and US governments were concerned that recent statements emanating from the Sinn Fein leadership and the IRA were "ambiguous".

The Prime Minister went on to outline three key areas for definition; he asked:

• When the IRA say that their strategies and disciplines will not be inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement, does that mean an end to all activities inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement, including targeting, procurement of weapons, so-called punishment beatings, and so forth?
• Secondly, when they say that they are committed to putting arms beyond use through the Decommissioning Commission, does that mean all arms so that the process is complete?
• And thirdly, when they say that they support the Good Friday Agreement and want it to work, does that mean that if the two Governments and the other parties fulfil their obligations under the Good Friday Agreement and the Joint Declaration, that that means the complete and final closure of the conflict?

He added: "Now, I don't think those questions are very difficult questions. I think they are questions that are susceptible of clear answers and because this whole process is about the trust that people need and the confidence that they need, then the answers have got to be clear. And the truth is clarity is our friend in this process and ambiguity is our enemy."

Two weeks ago, the Irish and British governments were due to publish a way forward document in an attempt to overcome present difficulties and ensure the main players engaged in "acts of completion".

However, the publication was shelved as commitments given by the IRA were not thought to be strong enough to restore unionist confidence in the power-sharing executive. Today, Mr Blair said that the Stormont elections remain on course for a May 29 polling day.

The Prime Minister concluded by saying that it would be "a genuine failure of leadership" if no resolution was to be found. However, he remained convinced that all parties genuinely wanted to see the peace process work.

(GMcG)