Success in the peace process can be an example to the rest of the world at a time of international difficulty, Sinn Féin claimed today.
|
|
Adams: "We are not walking
away from this process" |
Party president Mr Gerry Adams and chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness had new talks with the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair at Downing Street this morning, but even though it was described as "very useful" there was still no sign of a breakthrough.
The meeting lasted for 90 minutes. Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid was also present.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble has confirmed his ministers will boycott cabinet meetings from this week and later resign after two motions to exclude Sinn Féin from the Executive were defeated in the Assembly yesterday.
Mr Adams said he was encouraged by the talks which he had requested with Mr Blair but admitted there was still a long way to go before a resolution could be found.
He said: "We had a very useful discussion with the British Prime Minister about the continuing difficulties in the Irish peace process and the responsibilities on all of us at this time of international difficulty to show that there is an alternative way to move forwards.
"I think that we've got a lot of work to do and that depends on how collectively we can take our responsibilities."
He added: "I think the political situation will collapse if Mr Trimble walks out. We are not walking away from this process".
Mr McGuinness said Sinn Féin was "absolutely committed" to the process. He said: "I think it's very important in the backdrop of these world events that the Irish peace process is a success so we can hold it up as an example to the rest of the world."
Earlier Mr Trimble claimed republicans would be blame if the process collapsed.
He said: "They could do it [decommission] tomorrow, they could do it next month. If they want to wait until next year that is their choice, but we have reached a position where it is necessary for us to draw a line in this process and say we have waited 17 months since they promised to act, we have waited three-and-a-half years since the Agreement.
"There is no longer sufficient confidence within the unionist community to sustain this process without actual decommissioning by republicans." PA