Blair and Ahern upbeat about peace process

The British and Irish prime ministers have both reaffirmed their commitment to the Northern Ireland peace process - and have reiterated that the process is the only mechanism that can break the current deadlock.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair held a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in London on Wednesday 19 September to discuss ways in which to preserve Northern Ireland’s devolved government from collapsing.

Speaking after the morning meeting Mr Blair said: “It is because we want to leave terrorism and violence in Northern Ireland behind, whether from republican quarters or so-called loyalist quarters, that we want this process to succeed.”

He said events in the Middle East over the past year showed the danger of what happens when the peace process fails.

He added: “We want to make sure that steps are taken to ensure terrorism and violence have no place in Northern Ireland. We can see the political process offers the only sensible way forward, and let’s never forget what has actually been agreed.”

Mr Ahern added: “I think the political parties are determined to see the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement.

“When people look back over the last three years, the Executive has worked well, the Assembly has worked well, the North-South institutions have worked well, and of course there are outstanding difficulties. The implementation of the Good Friday agreement with the work we have done in Weston Park is the only way forward.”

Despite the upbeat tempo from the two premiers, debate upon the key issues of policing and decommissioning has not yet reached agreement. To date only the SDLP have signed up the new Police Board, created to oversee the new police service in Northern Ireland.

In addition, if the political parties fail to elect a new First and Deputy First Minister by midnight on Saturday 22 September, the Secretary of State must decide on whether to again suspend the assembly for 24 hours or opt for an open ended suspension. (AMcE)