Ulster Unionists today accused the republican leadership of moving to
collapse the power-sharing executive in Belfast in advance of the next general election.
The claim was made as British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair prepared for talks at Hillsborough Castle, tonight with the Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble and Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams.
However, Mr Michael McGimpsey, an Ulster Unionist minister at the Northern Ireland Assembly claimed republicans had not delivered on promises. He said: "Sinn Fein are positioning themselves to create maximum tension and anxiety within the community.''
Mr McGimpsey said Sinn Fein had comprehensively failed to meet its obligations and promises. He added: "Gerry Adams must now show leadership and act decisively. He must face down the rejectionists who are threatening to destroy the Agreement and undermine his position.''
One of US President Bill Clinton's key advisers, Mr Jim Steinberg, will also be involved in tonight negotiations which are likely to continue tomorrow.
- Police today confirmed that a roadside bomb defused near Armagh city contained 1100lbs of home made explosives - the largest assembled device to be found in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998.
The bomb, set up by republican dissidents opposed to the peace process, was primed and ready to blow up a passing police and army patrol.