The British and Irish governments have called for positive and constructive Assembly election campaigns by the Northern parties and vowed to continue efforts aimed at restoring devolution after the election.
The statements, issued yesterday by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, stressed that the Belfast Agreement remained the template for political progress after the poll on November 26th. They also praised the political progress achieved in the recent series of talks between the Ulster Unionists and Sinn Féin and pledged to build on it.
The Sinn Féin chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, also talked positively of his party's contacts with Mr David Trimble. At a news conference at Sinn Féin headquarters in west Belfast, Mr McGuinness said the relationship with the Ulster Unionists "hold potential", that the talks had produced real progress and they would return to talks after the election. "I am absolutely convinced that progress can be made in the aftermath of the election," he said. "Obviously, I want to make that progress with the pro-agreement unionist party."
The DUP and other anti-agreement unionists criticised Downing Street yesterday for its insistence on standing by the accord which they say is fundamentally flawed. The British statement confirmed the election would be held, but without the deal which could have paved the way to restoration of devolution.
It also said that the two governments would resume efforts with the Northern parties to resolve difficulties as soon as possible.
Downing Street added: "The outstanding issue is the degree of transparency to be attached to acts of decommissioning, both in terms of the arms dealt with and how long it will take to complete the process."
Mr Ahern's said in his statement: "Together with Prime Minister Blair, I look forward to resuming political dialogue with the parties in the aftermath of the elections and to rapid agreement on the setting up of an inclusive Executive, to pressing on with the full implementation of the agreement and fully securing its vision of a new beginning for all the people on this island."
Both statements specifically praised the work of the head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD), Gen John de Chastelain and his colleague, Mr Andrew Sens.
The SDLP, which formally began its Assembly election campaign yesterday, said only it had shown unqualified commitment to the agreement since Good Friday 1998. The party insisted it would retain its position as the largest nationalist party in terms of Assembly seats.
Mr Mark Durkan, previewing the first of the party's election broadcasts which features Mr Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four, said transfers would prove critical. Seats at the last Assembly election were decided "by a handful of votes in a small number of seats," he said.
Privately, senior figures say some SDLP seats are under pressure. However they also stress that losses can be offset by gains in other constituencies where candidates missed election by a few votes.