Hypocritical Unionist obstructionism reaches a new low

>>>>>> Flash: End to IRA not enough for DUP


Talks at Leeds Castle in England have ended today without
agreement, but talks will continue in pursuit of a deal which is
reported to include an end to all activity by the Provisional
IRA and the restoration of the Belfast Assembly at Stormont.

Despite the prospect of the Provisional IRA fully disarming and
ceasing to exist as a military force, Ian Paisley's DUP have
rejected the deal.

The hardline unionists have insisisted that the power-sharing
arrangements for the North detailed in the 1998 Good Friday
Agreement are altered and that new mechanisms are introduced
which would bring a return of majority unionist rule to the
North of Ireland.

Sinn Fein President Mr Gerry Adams said it was now clear that
unionist obstructionism was blocking the peace process.

"The IRA is not the problem," the West Belfast MP said. "It's an
unwillingness of elements of political unionism to embrace a
process of change. How can any party expect to come to
negotiations and not negotiate, and not talk to other parties?"

It also emerged that the British government made another
commitment in the talks to implement the contents of the Joint
Declaration, a plan to implement outstanding elements of the
1998 Good Friday Agreement. It has also repeated a promise to
hold an inquiry into the murder of Belfast defence lawyer Pat
Finucane.

The Irish Prime Minister, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern insisted the
talks had set up the chance to secure the long sought "acts of
completion" on the IRA and the transfer of policing powers from
London to a local administration in Belfast.

He said: "It's absolutely vital that we do not falter at the
last hurdle. "I urge all the parties and particularly those in
positions of power and responsibility to finish the job in the
interests of all the people in Northern Ireland."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said even though no IRA
statement was decided upon, he was confident that the weapons
issue which had dogged the peace process has been resolved. The
deadlock was over how the political institutions at Stormont
would function.

"I can't believe myself that this set of institutional issues is
going then to scupper what otherwise would be a very good deal,"
he said.

"If agreement cannot be reached when its clear it should be
reached we will find a different way to move this process
forward," Mr Blair warned.

A new round of talks planned between the British Direct Ruler of
the Six Counties, Paul Murphy and Dublin's Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Mr Cowen are to take place next week.