Menu
18/06/2001
TOUGH TALKING FOLLOWS PRO-AGREEMENT MEETING
IN a fresh round of negotiations, the British Prime Minister and Irish premier Bertie Ahern met with the pro-Agreement parties to discuss the current political deadlock in Northern Ireland.
Separate meetings with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), SDLP and Sinn Féin were held on Monday June 18 to try to find a settlement on the issues of IRA decommissioning, policing and British Army demilitarisation.
The Democratic Unionist Party were not at Monday’s meeting because they refuse to meet Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, but are due to meet Tony Blair in a separate meeting later in the week.
Speaking after the meeting, David Trimble, Gerry Adams and Seamus Mallon all gave a very a downbeat assessment of the current situation. Each party representative expressed fears for the future of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), particularly with the impending threat of David Trimble’s resignation.
The SDLP delegation who met the prime ministers first included party leader John Hume, Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Séamus Mallon, chief whip Eddie McGrady and chairman Alex Attwood.
Speaking afterwards Seamus Mallon said: “This process is in very big trouble. Unless the two governments take action, in conjunction with all the parties to solve the problems of decommissioning, policing and demilitarisation then the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are in danger.”
The Sinn Féin committee, who went in for talks second, included party president Gerry Adams, Stormont Minister of Education Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty and Michelle Gildernew.
Gerry Adams said before he went into the meeting in Downing Street he was pleased that the British government had emphasised that the GFA was not up for renegotiation, although afterwards he said that he remained sceptical whether Tony Blair would remain true to full implementation of the Agreement.
The Ulster Unionist delegation included UUP leader and First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive David Trimble, Stormont Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure Michael McGimpsey, Assembly chief whip Jim Wilson, Roy Beggs Senior and anti-Agreement Unionist Jeffrey Donaldson. They met with the PM’s around 4pm.
Speaking afterwards David Trimble said that he personally felt very let down by the whole process. He said that he was losing patience with republicans who haven’t started the decommissioning process and that he would still step down in two weeks time: “My patience is at an end and if we don’t see republicans move on this issue then I will vacate office.”
Secretary of State Dr John Reid said that it would be “wishful thinking” to believe there was an alternative to the basic agreement: “What we have got to do is implement further, to build on what we have already done in it.” (AMcE)
Separate meetings with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), SDLP and Sinn Féin were held on Monday June 18 to try to find a settlement on the issues of IRA decommissioning, policing and British Army demilitarisation.
The Democratic Unionist Party were not at Monday’s meeting because they refuse to meet Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, but are due to meet Tony Blair in a separate meeting later in the week.
Speaking after the meeting, David Trimble, Gerry Adams and Seamus Mallon all gave a very a downbeat assessment of the current situation. Each party representative expressed fears for the future of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), particularly with the impending threat of David Trimble’s resignation.
The SDLP delegation who met the prime ministers first included party leader John Hume, Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Séamus Mallon, chief whip Eddie McGrady and chairman Alex Attwood.
Speaking afterwards Seamus Mallon said: “This process is in very big trouble. Unless the two governments take action, in conjunction with all the parties to solve the problems of decommissioning, policing and demilitarisation then the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are in danger.”
The Sinn Féin committee, who went in for talks second, included party president Gerry Adams, Stormont Minister of Education Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty and Michelle Gildernew.
Gerry Adams said before he went into the meeting in Downing Street he was pleased that the British government had emphasised that the GFA was not up for renegotiation, although afterwards he said that he remained sceptical whether Tony Blair would remain true to full implementation of the Agreement.
The Ulster Unionist delegation included UUP leader and First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive David Trimble, Stormont Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure Michael McGimpsey, Assembly chief whip Jim Wilson, Roy Beggs Senior and anti-Agreement Unionist Jeffrey Donaldson. They met with the PM’s around 4pm.
Speaking afterwards David Trimble said that he personally felt very let down by the whole process. He said that he was losing patience with republicans who haven’t started the decommissioning process and that he would still step down in two weeks time: “My patience is at an end and if we don’t see republicans move on this issue then I will vacate office.”
Secretary of State Dr John Reid said that it would be “wishful thinking” to believe there was an alternative to the basic agreement: “What we have got to do is implement further, to build on what we have already done in it.” (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 January 2005
Prime Minister and Taoiseach meet to discuss way ahead
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet in London on Tuesday to discuss the way ahead in the Northern Ireland peace process. The meeting follows separate discussions by both premiers with Sinn Fein and other political parties last week.
Prime Minister and Taoiseach meet to discuss way ahead
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will meet in London on Tuesday to discuss the way ahead in the Northern Ireland peace process. The meeting follows separate discussions by both premiers with Sinn Fein and other political parties last week.
02 November 2005
Minister committed to tackling issues facing children
NIO Minister Jeff Rooker has committed himself to championing the causes of children and young people throughout Northern Ireland.
Minister committed to tackling issues facing children
NIO Minister Jeff Rooker has committed himself to championing the causes of children and young people throughout Northern Ireland.
02 July 2002
UUP to pressure Blair on eve of Hillsborough talks
It has been revealed that a top-level delegation of Ulster Unionist officials will meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street tomorrow morning. The meeting comes on the eve of crisis talks scheduled to take place at Hillsborough with all the pro-agreement parties and premiers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern on Thursday.
UUP to pressure Blair on eve of Hillsborough talks
It has been revealed that a top-level delegation of Ulster Unionist officials will meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street tomorrow morning. The meeting comes on the eve of crisis talks scheduled to take place at Hillsborough with all the pro-agreement parties and premiers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern on Thursday.
26 July 2001
Proposals package shapes up into a wide-ranging review
Orange Order marches may well figure as part of what may be wide-ranging proposals contained in the package that is soon to be placed before the Northern Ireland political parties.
Proposals package shapes up into a wide-ranging review
Orange Order marches may well figure as part of what may be wide-ranging proposals contained in the package that is soon to be placed before the Northern Ireland political parties.
03 September 2001
Unionist leaders are to meet again to discuss policing
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley have discussed the future of policing in Northern Ireland.
Unionist leaders are to meet again to discuss policing
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley have discussed the future of policing in Northern Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
