Sinn Fein repeats call for talks with DUP

Sinn Fein today repeated its call for talks with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in the latest attempt to break the deadlock…

Sinn Fein today repeated its call for talks with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in the latest attempt to break the deadlock in the political process.

Leaders of Sinn Fein have written to the Rev Ian Paisley's party warning it not to risk fresh elections.

Sinn Fein chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin said: "We are reaching out to the Democratic Unionist Party. We have written to them asking for a meeting. We are meeting with the other parties and with Tony Blair.

"If the DUP shows a willingness to engage with the rest of the participants, then Sinn Fein, and I am sure the rest of the parties, will be more than happy to oblige.

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"But if it decides to proceed in a manner that is intended to damage or destroy the agreement then there must be no ambiguity in the actions of the governments or the pro-agreement parties."

At a Westminster news conference Mr McLaughlin said the British government must make it absolutely clear to unionists that they could not renegotiate the Belfast Agreement.

He warned Mr Paisley the suspension of the Assembly could be lifted at any time. Once that happened the clock would start ticking to a new election if an executive was not set up.

"I don't believe the DUP wants another election in which it could see the gains made at the recent election eroded," he said.

"They should be left in no doubt that long-term direct rule from Westminster is no a soft option.

"The stark choices that they have to make should be to form an executive and work it in good faith, or have a greater role for Dublin in fully implementing the agreement."