Republicans faced new pressure today to end intimidation of young Catholics bidding to join Northern Ireland's police service.
Mr Tom Constantine, the US police chief monitoring reform in the force, claimed potential recruits have been frightened off.
Sinn Féin has refused to endorse the revised policing arrangements because it argues that powers to hold Chief Constable Hugh Orde to account are not strong enough.
But Mr Constantine expressed concern that political leaders have tried to steer supporters away from considering careers as police officers.
"This recommendation has not been fulfilled as there is evidence of a lack of encouragement and some cases reports of actual intimidation," he said.
Mr Constantine's latest and most comprehensive report yet has studied overall progress towards achieving police reform since autumn last year. Although it could take up to seven more years to complete all of the recommendations, he reckoned the critical areas will be completed by late 2004.
PA