The Hindu : Blair, Ahern begin Ulster talks

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Tuesday, Mar 04, 2003

International

International

Blair, Ahern begin Ulster talks

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON MARCH 3. The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and his Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern, today began what were billed as "make-or-break" negotiations with political parties in Northern Ireland to revive the peace process, deadlocked since last October when the provincial Government was suspended following allegations of IRA spying.

The talks were being held in Belfast at the end of a deadline set by Mr. Blair last month for Ulster politicians to resolve their differences by March 3 so that the local Government and assembly could be restored ahead of the regional elections in May.

The British and Irish Governments were reported to be carrying draft proposals to facilitate decommissioning by IRA, which has been principal sticking point between the Unionists and the Republicans. In return, the British Government would agree to the Republicans' demand for removal of military bases from Catholic strongholds, reduction in troops and more police reforms.

Hopes of a breakthrough were raised after the Republicans indicated that considerable progress had already been made in behind-the-scenes talks with the British Government last week, and that the IRA was poised to announce a major act of decommissioning.

But given the unpredictable nature of Northern Ireland politics, observers were keeping their fingers crossed. The Northern Ireland Secretary, Paul Murphy, echoed the general sense of cautious optimism when he said that there was "everything to play for" and that the talks were "about going forward and not looking backwards."

In remarks, which were seen to be directed particularly at the IRA, he insisted that all paramilitary activity must end. "The cessation of paramilitary activity is at the heart of this particular (Good Friday) agreement," he said confirming that no progress was likely unless the IRA gave up its weapons as agreed under the Good Friday accord.

All eyes were on Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA, after Republican sources were widely quoted as saying that a deal on decommissioning was on the cards.

The Sinn Fein leadership was reported to have persuaded the IRA to fall in line, starting with a significant act of decommissioning.

But Unionists raised the stakes by insisting that any such act should be filmed and not shrouded in secrecy, as in the past. They also demanded that in future, sanctions should be imposed on Sinn Fein if the IRA reneged on its promise to disarm.

Republicans were quick to reject both these demands leading to some sharp exchanges between the two sides, but the view in London and Dublin was that once the basic issues were settled details could be taken care of.

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